The star was very well known on the soap but sadly spent his final years as a “virtual recluse” on benefits.
A Coronation Street star died penniless and on benefits despite starring on the ITV show for two decades, according to reports. Peter Adamson was best known by fans for his long-standing role of Len Fairclough on the cobbles.
He first starred on Coronation Street in 1961 andreamined on the show until 1983, appearing in 1,730 episodes over the course of his 22-year stint. Despite this, he sadly spent his final years as a “virtual recluse” after his acting career ended in the 80s.
Peter passed away at 72-years-old at his home in Bury and was close to the breadline at the time of his death. Coronation Street was Peter’s last acting job as he was then accused of indecently assaulting two eight-year-old girls at Haslingden Baths, where he was working as a part-time swimming instructor.
He was acquitted of the charges at Burnley Crown Court but then sold a number of ‘inside stories’ to the press in a bid to clear his £120k legal bill.
He would claim that during one, while he was drunk, he was persuaded to change his story. He was alleged to have told one journalist: “I am totally guilty of everything the police said… But what I hope you will print – there was no sexual intent.”
After police re-interviewed him over the ‘confession’, which Adamson denied, no further action was taken after the reporter in question claimed to have “mislaid” the tapes.
Adamson was instantly axed by Corrie bosses, losing his £10,000 a year salary which is around £190,000 in today’s money.
His character of Len Fairclough was killed in a motorway accident after apparently visiting a mistress to ensure no viewer sympathy was given to him.
For some time he did have some roles on the radio and in a West End production of Dial M for Murder, as well as a stint in Vanburgh’s The Relapse in 1988.
However, he ultimately died penniless after cash stopped coming in, whilst living in a rented flat and relying solely on benefits.
The actor faced financial issues several times throughout his life, which was revealed in legal documents during his trial.
Hailed as a “hellraiser” and a heavy drinker throughout his career, Peter owed thousands to the Inland Revenue by the late 1960s.
He’d also been suspended from Coronation Street in 1969 due to his drinking.
Peter passed away in 2002 from stomach cancer and left behind his two sons.
