Coro actor charged with child rape

Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell has been charged with 19 child sex offences in Britain.

The 48-year-old actor, who plays Kevin Webster in the long-running soap, has been accused of raping a child, indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child, the BBC reports.

Police reportedly charged him under his real name Michael Turner.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Manchester on February 27.

Alison Levitt QC said she had carefully reviewed the evidence in the case before concluding it was in the public interest to charge the actor with child sex offences.

"I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with nineteen offences, including rape of a child.

"Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial."

Le Vell has been on Coronation Street since 1983.

His character is well known for his tempestuous marriage with Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, which was eventually broken up by an affair.

Former Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel was also charged with child sex offences in December.

The 42-year-old, charged under his real name Andrew Watkinson, is accused of five counts of indecent assault on a child under 16, police said.

Lancel, from Gateacre in Liverpool, was best known for his appearance as Frank Foster on the soap.

- nzherald.co.nz