Michael Le Vell, best known for playing Kevin Webster on Coronation Street, had a real-life romance with a co-star that ended in a sad split. The actor, who has been a staple on the ITV soap since 1983, was married to Janette Beverley, who appeared on the show as Elaine Pollard.
On-Screen and Off-Screen Love
Le Vell made his debut as Kevin Webster in 1983 when the character arrived as Hilda Ogden's lodger, played by Jean Alexander. He quickly became a fan favorite and has been involved in numerous dramatic storylines over the decades. These include his marriage to Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor), raising daughters Rosie (Helen Flanagan) and Sophie (Brooke Vincent), and a recent romance with Abi Franklin (Sally Carman). In recent months, Kevin battled testicular cancer, Abi cheated on him with his estranged relative Carl (Jonathan Howard), and his sister Debbie (Sue Devaney) was diagnosed with young-onset vascular dementia.
Off-screen, Le Vell's love life also made headlines. He married Janette Beverley in 1986 after meeting on the Coronation Street set. Beverley played Elaine Pollard, the girlfriend of Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy), in 1984. She also appeared in the comedy series Sharon and Elsie as Sharon Wilkes.
Family and Divorce
Le Vell and Beverley had two children together but divorced in 2011. After the split, Le Vell began a relationship with Louise Gibbons in 2014. According to reports, they met because Gibbons is the sister of Le Vell's local bookmaker. They announced their engagement in 2017 after a three-year romance.
The couple married in a lavish ceremony in May, surrounded by family, friends, and Coronation Street co-stars. Attendees included Sally Dynevor, who plays his on-screen ex-wife Sally Metcalfe; Alan Halsall, who plays his best friend Tyrone Dobbs; and Joe Duttine, who plays Sally's on-screen husband Tim Metcalfe, along with his wife Sally Carman, who married Duttine in July 2022.
Continuing Legacy
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Le Vell remains a central figure on the show, with his character Kevin Webster continuing to navigate life's challenges on the cobbles.
