Fans of Coronation Street adore it when former cast members get again, and that’s exactly what happened when two of the show’s most recognisable characters ran into one other and had an unplanned reunion.
For more than 1,000 episodes between 1997 and 2007, Bruce Jones portrayed cab driver Les Battersby, father of Leanne (Jane Danson) and stepfather of Toyah (Georgia Taylor) and Chesney (Sam Aston).
His relationships with Janice Battersby (Vicky Entwistle) and Cilla Brown (Wendi Peters), among other tales, were prominent.
After it was claimed that the actor told reporters about upcoming plotlines while intoxicated, he was fired from the show. His leave narrative featured his leaving to work as a roadie for travelling ZZ Top O’ the Morning tribute band.
Since leaving, he has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 with Vicky Entwistle, appeared on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, and performed in numerous feature films, pantomimes, and TV shows, including The Heritage, an episode of Hulu’s Bitesize Halloween series.
Bruce recently posted a picture on Twitter with Julie Hesmondhalgh, who portrayed the late Hayley Cropper and was a Coronation Street legend.
So I ran into this lovely person @juliehes yesterday; it was wonderful to see you after 16 years! Bruce composed. He is pictured holding Julie, who is grinning broadly.
Vicky Entwistle, Bruce’s former on-screen co-star, was among the first to express her appreciation.
What a beautiful image. Many blessings to you both, she wrote.
A pair of Corrie legends! One supporter exclaimed, “Brilliant! X,” while another said, “We would never have seen Les and Hayley so friendly, of course.”
This was a reference to the fact that Les’ attitude towards Hayley, the show’s first transgender character, was typically hostile.
Les intimidated and bullied her, calling her by her deceased name and labelling her a “man” and a “freak.” Hayley often opted to retain a modest dignity rather than succumb to his bullying.
Hayley passed away in 2014, leaving Roy Cropper (David Neilson) as her surviving spouse. Roy cherishes his memories of his devoted wife.
Julie has now gone on to make appearances in a variety of TV programmes, including Broadchurch, Happy Valley, and Doctor Who.
