Chilean girlfriend pulls Le Vell 'back from the brink'; 'Corrie' bosses reassure actor
Michael Le Vell has been saved "from the brink" by his new girlfriend.
The 'Coronation Street' star - who plays mechanic Kevin Webster on the ITV soap - was suspended from the show earlier this year after being accused of 19 child sex offences, all of which he strenuously denies, and was reported to be suffering due to the stress of the ordeal.
However, Michael is now said to be in a much better place thanks to new love, Chilean mother-of-four Blanca Fouche, with whom he recently enjoyed a romantic break in the Lake District.
A friend of the actor's told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Blanca has helped pull Michael back from the brink. She has been a pillar of strength, and their relationship has become serious very quickly.
"Michael's world has been turned upside down by these allegations, which he fiercely denies. He has been suspended from a TV show he loves doing.
"Up until recently he only had the pub and his mates to turn to. But Blanca has changed all that. She has reassured him she will be there for him as he fights to clear his name.
"It means that for the first time in ages Michael is able to look forward to the future with hope and optimism. He is not down the pub as much and he is eating the right food."
The father-of-two - who has starred on 'Coronation Street' for 30 years - is now focusing on preparing for his trial, which kicks off at Manchester Crown Court on September 2.
It appears soap bosses believe the 48-year-old actor will be cleared since they have allegedly told Michael they have five new storylines lined up for him when his character Kevin returns to Weatherfield.
The insider added: "The show have been incredibly supportive to Michael. Obviously when he was charged they had no choice but to suspend him from the programme.
"But 'Corrie' producers have kept in touch with him and reassured him he has a future on the show. And Michael definitely wants to return."
