Les Battersby star reveals which Coronation Street icon he is fighting – and we’re taken aback
In a truly bizarre twist, Coronation Street actor turned pro-fighter Bruce Jones is to take on his former co-star Steven Arnold in the wrestling ring.
Bruce, 71, wowed 200 spectators at Manchester’s Trinity Sports Centre last month, in a shocking move that was worlds away from his character Les, who was more at home squabbling with pensioners on the cobbled street.
In his iconic double denim outfit, something he wore consistently throughout the decade he appeared on the show, Bruce, in character as Les, entered to the music of Status Quo – the band which performed at Les’s wedding to Cilla (Wendi Peters) in 2005.
Due to the success of the event, organisers SOVPRO announced last week that he had signed on the dotted line for another appearance – this time competing alongside one of his Weatherfield pals.
It has been announced today (15th March) that Steven Arnold, known for his role as butcher Ashley Peacock, would be swapping his meat cleaver and apron for a gum shield on May 6th.
Ashley was part of the show for fifteen years before being killed off during the catastrophic tram crash episodes that were made to commemorate fifty years of the ITV soap in December 2010.
In a video released on X/Twitter today, Steven appeared in character for the first time in fourteen years to tease the event.
‘Les – you can run and hide all you want. We both know what you’ve done and I’m not having it. Don’t dare say it wasn’t you, because I know it was’ Ashley began.
‘You think you’ve got a gang? You think that the LBWO (Les Battersby World Order) is a gang? Well I’ll show you a gang Battersby, bank holiday May 6th – get ready for the Butcher Club you cheeky little monkey.’
Why exactly Ashley has turned from afterlife to thug life remains to be seen, but we’re here for it.
Perhaps he’s reunited at the pearly gates with ex-wife Maxine Peacock (Tracy Shaw), who was bludgeoned by Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) with a crowbar in 2003 and is on the warpath to get revenge on those who have wronged him over the years?