TV beauty Helen Flanagan has leapt to defend Michael Le Vell – her father in Coronation Street – and called the child sex charges he faces VILE, the Sunday People has reported.
The actress said of the allegations against former co-star: “I don’t believe it for a second.”
Helen, 22, was Le Vell’s on-screen daughter Rosie Webster for 11 years until she quit the show last year.
She declared she is disgusted by what he is accused of and said: “I can’t *believe what Michael is going through. I was so shocked to hear the *allegations had come back. It’s absolutely vile what is being said about him. It sickens you to the *stomach and it is so *upsetting what that man has been through.
“I have a lot of respect for the man because I have grown up with him.
“He’s a lovely, lovely man. Everyone at Coronation Street is behind him. It’s a respect thing.”
Helen’s backing comes just weeks after Le Vell, 48, appeared before *magistrates in Manchester.
He faces 19 allegations including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity with a child. The legal move came after a Crown Prosecution Service review of allegations against him that had been dropped.
The actor has stepped down from his role as Corrie mechanic Kevin Webster pending the outcome of the court case. He has been playing the part for nearly 30 years.
Troubled Le Vell has been pictured looking tired and stressed over the past few weeks. He has regularly been seen boozing and has been spotted at a bookmaker’s near his terraced home in Hale, Gtr Manchester.
After seeing her friend in such *distress, Helen has called for anonymity for those charged with child sex *offences until they have been proved guilty.
Last week the I’m A Celebrity star said: “I don’t think things like that should be in the press until it’s proven. It’s the worst thing to be accused of. It’s terrible. I have spoken to him and he knows I am there for him.
“He’s always been a great friend. I just wish him all the best. There’s absolutely no way he did it. I don’t believe it for a second.”
Coronation Street legend William Roache, 80, who plays iconic Rovers regular Ken Barlow, is also concerned at how Le Vell has been “vilified”.
He said: “In my view you’re innocent until proven guilty. But what happens is anyone can make an allegation and you’re immediately arrested and your name is vilified in the papers.
“If someone has committed a *criminal act against a woman or is a *paedophile, yes they should be sorted out and hunted. But until that is settled and is *proven, an allegation is just that – an *allegation. So let’s all wait and see until the trial is over.”
Last week Le Vell was reported as having been “bowled over” by messages of support from fellow actors and Coronation Street fans.
The star was first arrested in September 2011 after a teenage girl claimed he had sexually assaulted her from the age of six.
Three months later prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence and the matter was dropped. Last year Le Vell separated from wife Janette Beverley after 26 years of marriage.
In the wake of the CPS review he was arrested and charged with the *offences on February 15 – six rapes, six indecent assaults and seven offences of sexual activity with a child over a nine-year period. Le Vell said he would fight the allegations “vigorously”.
He is due to appear at crown court in Manchester on Wednesday.
Le Vell’s sister told how he is “going through hell”. Glenis Gill, 59, said: “It is a really tough time for him at the moment but he is bearing up OK.”
Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe
Originally Posted by moonstorm
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