Kevin Kennedy still battles with his alcohol demons.
The 55-year-old actor – who battled with alcoholism in the 90’s but embarked on a journey to sobriety in 1998 after meeting his wife Clare – has admitted he hasn’t touched a drop of liquor since he gave up, but he is still trying to overcome the "disease" that plagued him every day.
Speaking on ‘Loose Women’ on Tuesday (29.11.16), the former ‘Coronation Street’ star – who played the role of Curly Watts in the longstanding soap for over 20 years from 1983 to 2003- said: "Yes, I still have to work at it every day – it’s not as bad but it’s still always there in the back of my mind – as is the disease it can be there at any time, just to set you off. It’s a disease and it’s mental health but touch wood."
And as a result of being a reformed alcoholic, Kevin has admitted he had to learn to love his wife again.
He explained: "I’ve been sober now for 18 years. But the problem now is you know if you’re a married couple and you go through that together you might get sober and say ‘I don’t like you any more’. We had to go through all that wooing stuff again."
And Kevin – who checked in for treatment at London’s The Priory – has praised his bosses at ITV for the way they dealt with his addiction at the time.
He added: "[‘Coronation Street’] was brilliant at the time – they really took the American approach where they send their people in to rehab, which is very sensible because you get a better employee back and very loyal."
Meanwhile, Kevin has made no secret he would like to return to the cobbles.
Speaking previously about a comeback, he said: "It would be nice, I would love to. It’s no secret I’d love to go back and do some more and if that opportunity arises then brilliant."