Corrie's 'Curly' Watts unrecognisable as he lands new role 20 years after soap exit
Some soap legends are simply unforgettable, and "Curly" Watts is one of those iconic characters.
The endearing chap was a staple on Coronation Street for a whopping two decades after first appearing in the 80s. Kevin Kennedy portrayed the character from 1983 to his exit in 2003, and it's quite a shocker that it's been over 20 years since we last saw him on our telly.
But hold onto your hats because he's about to dive into something wildly different a punk rock musical, no less!
Kevin is gearing up to narrate an upcoming show titled "Pretty Vacant", which is set to kick off its tour in January 2025.
This show is all about taking a trip down memory lane, starting with the birth of punk in the 70s and following its evolution through the 80s and 90s. It's a deep dive into how this rebellious movement turned the music world upside down.
Having been a part of the Paris Valentinos with Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke before they formed The Smiths, Kevin's got some real punk cred to bring to the table.
In an interview with WestEndBestFriend, he said: "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Pretty Vacant. When punk exploded on the scene in 1977, it truly was a revolution it changed our music, our fashion and every aspect of the arts! I witnessed it all... Let's do it again... together."
"Pretty Vacant" is set to belt out anthems from legendary groups like The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Blondie, The Damned, Ramones, and Joy Division. But this isn't Kevin's first rodeo when it comes to rocking out on stage.
Back in 2009, Kevin snagged the role of the ageing hippie "Pop" in the touring show of Queen and Ben Elton's rock extravaganza We Will Rock You. Fast forward to 2010, and he was lighting up the West End stage with his groovy performance.
Fast forward to five years later, and Kev was all glammed up for the grand launch of the mega cruise ship, the "RCI Anthem of the Seas", slipping back into his "Pop" persona. He's been rocking that role ever since, even on the UK Seacation cruises which kicked off from Southampton in October 2023.
From his humble beginnings as a paper boy on the cobbles of Corrie, Kevin has totally transformed into a bona fide stage legend. His metamorphosis into a rock God is so complete, you'd barely clock him now!
