'I knew I was going to die': Ex Corrie star Kevin Kennedy reveals he 'always had a drink near' while filming the soap as he reveals how he won battle with the booze
Ex-Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy has admitted he 'always had a drink near' as he battled alcoholism during his time on the soap.
The 55-year-old actor, who played Curly Watts on the cobbles from 1983 to 2003, told Good Morning Britain that he only quit drinking when he realised he 'was going to die' if he continued.
Appearing via video link on Wednesday's show, the actor discussed his battle with the booze, revealing he 'maintained a certain level of being drunk through the day.'
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Battle with the booze: Former Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy told Good Morning Britain on Wednesday that he regularly had a drink nearby during his time on the soap
He said: 'I was known as a maintenance drinker where I maintained a certain level of being drunk right through the day and that balance is quite hard to find.
'Sometimes if you went too far, you were visibly drunk but if you didn't drink enough then you went into involuntary detox which is not very nice at all. So yeah, I always had a drink near or around me somewhere.'
The star, who has now been sober for 18 years, said he quit drinking after a 'moment of clarity'.
'The moment for me was a moment of absolute clarity where if I knew if I carried on I knew I was going to die,' he told presenters Ben Shepherd and Susanna Reid.
No more drink: The star, who has now been sober for 18 years, said he quit drinking after a 'moment of clarity'
Soap veteran: Kevin appeared as Norman 'Curly' Watts on Coronation Street from 1983 to 2003
'I wasn't worried about losing my job or losing my wife. It was mortality,' he confessed. 'I knew I was going to die and for me that was the moment I knew I had to do something about that.'
Before entering rehab back in 1998, there had been many occasions where Kevin resolved to quit, but the disease would rear its ugly head again.
'There were many times that I hit rock bottom but with this disease it’s all about denial,' he admitted on the show.
'I’d say I was never going to do that again but three days later and suddenly the disease hits you and you want to drink again. I’d always find an excuse to go back drinking.'
Happy together: Kevin pictured with his wife Clare two years ago
Kevin said he 'grieved' for drink whilst in rehab as he detailed his struggle for sobriety.
'I was grieving drink because I had a long and successful relationship with it,' he said. 'I was in love with it. When I wasn't drinking, I was thinking about it.'
But far from being over, Kevin's battle is ongoing - last month he detailed how he stays in the house when he feels 'unsafe' against his urges after his many years of sobriety.
Speaking to the Mirror, the 55-year-old actor discussed the ongoing restraints he feels at the hands of his addiction yet admits he has shunned the 'insanity and obsession' he once felt with alcohol.
Back in the day: The Coronation Street recently admitted he stays in the house when he feels 'unsafe' against his urges after 18 years of sobriety
Kevin, who is currently starring as Jimmy's Da in the stage show of The Commitments, was a beloved member of the Corrie cast while playing the hapless character before his departure in 2003.
Despite the often light-hearted nature of his role, the actor was battling demons behind the scenes as his fight against alcoholism raged on.
After 18 years without a drink, the Mancunian star told of his methods of staying sober - including staying in when he feels 'unsafe' against his demons.
He said: 'I am long enough down the road to know my trigger points and where it's not safe for me to go. It's not easy but I am 18 years down the road and I know how to protect myself and keep myself safe. If I am feeling a little bit unsafe, I won't go out.'
Way back when: Kevin, who is currently starring as Jimmy's Da in the stage show of The Commitments, was a beloved member of the Corrie cast
Ongoing: Kevin struggled with alcoholism during much of his time on Coronation Street, here pictured with Philip Middlemiss as Des Barnes and Sarah Lancashire as Raquel Wolstenhulme
Kevin explained little details can trigger his urges, such as small frustrations yet he proudly admitted to his determination to fight against the feelings.
He revealed: 'Thank God it doesn't happen that often. I don't get that insanity and obsession with alcohol that I used to have.
'If I am not in the right mood, I won't go into a pub...Now the bright lights of pubs and parties have to a certain extent worn off.'
In November, Kevin spoke on Lorraine Kelly about his battle and how his second wife Clare, also a recovering alcoholic, has helped keep him strong.
Staying strong: In November, Kevin spoke on Lorraine Kelly about his battle and how his second wife Claire, also a recovering alcoholic, has helped keep him strong
His addiction led to his first wife Dawn leaving him and later Clare doing the same, yet they reconciled and share two daughters - Katie May, 12, and Grace, nine.
He said: 'My wife has been incredible through the tough times. While I've been playing dress-up, she has been at home making a difference with charity work.'
Speaking to The Irish Times around the same time, he said: 'The moral of the story, if there is one, is to anyone out there who is struggling, there is an answer. You can do this you've just got to ask for help...
'My daughters have never seen me take a drink and that's good. I live a very good and full and happy life. Of course it's not perfect, but you know I can deal with stuff and it's alright'
Beloved: Kevin was one of the favoured cast members on the show
In his 2013 autobiography, Kevin admitted that he secretly drank in his Coronation Street dressing room to help him get through filming.
He got through a small bottle of vodka before shooting the soap, going on to drink more by 4pm, and collecting 30 or 40 empties out of his dressing room when he was sober.
The star also confessed that at the height of his addiction he suffered panic attacks if he couldn't get to the pub and once threatened to throw himself out of a car unless a friend stopped for vodka.
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