One Coronation Street died penniless despite spending 23 years on the ITV soap.

One Coronation Street star died penniless (Image: Getty)

A Coronation Street actor passed away dependent on state support despite featuring for over two decades as Len Fairclough in the ITV programme. Peter Adamson died aged 72 in 2002 at his Bury residence – having become a “virtual recluse” during his final years following the collapse of his acting career in the 1980s. The performer established himself as Len across 1,730 episodes of Corrie, spanning 1961 to 1983. This would prove to be his last acting role, as he faced accusations of indecently assaulting two eight year old girls at Haslingden Baths, where he served as a swimming instructor, that same year.

He was ultimately cleared of the charges at Burnley Crown Court, though his subsequent actions would prove contentious with ITV executives. He chose to sell his account to The Sun at the time, whilst heavily intoxicated, and seemingly confessed to the offence during an incoherent interview. He was reported as stating: “I am totally guilty of everything the police said. But what I hope you will print – there was no sexual intent.” He received £110,000 for the interview.

Adamson played Len Fairclough in Coronation Street (Image: ITV)

That marked the conclusion of Adamson’s career, and he was dismissed by ITV bosses and removed from the programme permanently. A desperate Adamson relocated to Canada to begin afresh, but shortly returned to Britain and was declared bankrupt in 1991.

Following years earning a £10,000 annual wage from Corrie – equivalent to approximately £190,000 in current terms – he was compelled to reside in rented accommodation and depended on benefits when employment opportunities ceased. Adamson passed away whilst claiming benefits, though this wasn’t his initial encounter with money problems.

The actor was consuming alcohol excessively whilst working and by the late 1960s had accumulated tens of thousands in debt to Inland Revenue, before being suspended from Corrie in 1969 owing to his alcoholism.

The legal costs from his trial worsened his financial difficulties, and when his wife Jean passed away shortly following the trial, circumstances deteriorated further for the actor.

His concluding projects featured radio acting roles and a West End staging of Dial M for Murder, alongside an appearance in Vanburgh’s The Relapse in 1988. The star was survived by two sons when he died in 2002.