Curly Watts, introduced to the ITV soap in 1983, quickly became a staple of the show, a quirky, often awkward, but always endearing presence who charmed audiences for two decades. His exit in 2003, alongside his wife Emma, to start a new life in the tranquil town of Ryton, left a void that, for many, was never truly filled. While Curly has been occasionally referenced on the show – most recently in 2024 when Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) comically recalled her father Les headbutting him – these fleeting mentions only served to underscore how deeply he was missed.
The catalyst for this latest surge of return rumours comes directly from Kevin Kennedy. The actor, who has openly expressed his interest in reprising the beloved role, took to Facebook recently to mark a significant milestone: the anniversary of his Coronation Street debut on July 11, 1983. Sharing a nostalgic shot of Curly’s very first scenes, Kevin simply captioned his post: “On this day many years ago I made my Coro st debut.” A seemingly innocuous post, yet for the millions of fans who remember Curly with such fondness, it was a spark igniting a roaring fire of hope.
The reaction was immediate and overwhelming. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), exploded with heartfelt pleas and demands for Curly’s return. “Bring back Curly to the Cobbles!!” one fan emphatically insisted, echoing the sentiments of countless others. Comments poured in, lamenting his departure (“It’s a great pity you left”), expressing a desire for more characters like him (“We need more characters like curly back on the street”), and reminiscing about his time on the show (“Sadly missed Curly on the bins. Remember it well!”). The outpouring of affection was palpable: “Thank you for bringing so much joy onto the set, and to millions of people at home,” read one touching tribute, while another fan’s desperate plea summed it up perfectly: “You need to come back!”
Beyond the on-screen persona, Kevin Kennedy’s personal journey adds another layer of compelling depth to the possibility of Curly’s return. Since leaving Coronation Street, Kevin has continued his acting career, notably appearing in productions like Mrs Brown’s Boys. However, he has also bravely and candidly shared his struggles with alcohol addiction, a battle that reached its nadir in May 1998 when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital. In an inspiring testament to his resilience, Kevin marked an incredible 25 years of sobriety in 2023. Reflecting on that difficult period, he once told The Mirror: “It wasn’t the pressure of the job that made me do what I did, I did it because I liked it and liked I so much I got addicted and couldn’t stop it.” He added, with poignant self-awareness, “But playing Curly was the perfect job for an addict, because when I performing I was someone else, and he was a lovely guy who everyone loved. To be honest, being Curly, it was a bit of a reprieve from being me.” This profound personal journey could offer incredibly rich, nuanced, and powerful storylines if Curly were to return, allowing for explorations of recovery, resilience, and the quiet strength found in overcoming adversity, grounding his quirky charm with a newfound depth.
The clamor for Curly Watts to walk the cobbles once more isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a testament to the enduring power of a well-loved character and the profound connection Kevin Kennedy forged with audiences. With the actor’s willingness to return and the fans’ unwavering desire, the question is no longer “if,” but rather “when,” and more excitingly, “how” will Curly Watts finally make his dramatic, much-anticipated comeback to Weatherfield after 22 long years?
If Curly Watts were to return, what kind of storyline do you think would be most compelling for his character, especially given Kevin Kennedy’s powerful personal journey of sobriety?
