Michael Le Vell in talks for new '£250,000 Coronation Street deal if he can control his drinking' as rumours emerge he could star in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here

Michael Le Vell met with Coronation Street producers on Thursday to discuss his return to the ITV soap.
The 48-year-old actor is set to make his comeback as Kevin Webster, after being cleared of child-sex charges in a trial which ended this week.

Reports suggest the soap star met with bosses to discuss a new deal thought to be worth around £250,000 a year.

Back to the Street: Michael Le Vell headed for talks with Coronation Street bosses on Thursday about his return to the ITV soap

The Mirror report that Michael, who has not appeared in the soap since February, is expected to make a decision about his return in the coming days, as he considers the deal over the weekend.

Michael’s return to the soap, which he has starred in since 1983, is said to be contingent on the actor’s drinking habits after he admitted to being an alcoholic during his trial.
‘Michael is an absolute professional,’ a source has told The Mirror, ‘but he needs to resolve issues in his life – and his dependency on alcohol is a problem that must be addressed.’

Smiling: The actor, who was smartly dressed for his meeting, seemed in good spirits as he returned home

‘He has been through enormous stress and strain, everyone is aware of that. ITV would be failing if they didn’t offer him professional advice. Michael now needs time to get his life back in shape.’

Whilst Michael’s character Kevin would not be seen back on screen until the New Year, if he signs a new deal, it’s thought senior producers have agreed to start working the character back into conversations between other Street residents. 

Return: Michael, seen here with Sally Dynevor as Sally and Brooke Vincent as Sophie, has not been seen as mechanic Kevin Webster since February

Michael’s return is expected to go down well with his cast-mates with a source telling The Mirror that he’s ‘a very popular man here. He’s the sort of guy where what you see is what you get.

‘Before he left the cast in the run-up to the court case you could tell it wasn’t the Michael we all know and love. Hopefully the lad will be back. People can’t wait.’
Meanwhile the actor is rumoured to be considering an appearance on hit ITV reality series I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

Booze ban: ITV bosses have reportedly told Michael he needs to seek help with his drinking if he's to return to the soap

It’s thought the actor could make an appearance on the And & Dec hosted show, which returns this winter, in order to pay off his mounting legal bills.

A source told The Sun: ‘He would be rewarded with a six-figure fee which would help him out enormously.’

‘He's also seen as a great candidate for the show and would be a tremendous asset to it. Those who know him see him as an easy-going lad, one of the boys, and with his love of Australia, he could jump at the chance of joining up.’

TV comeback: Michael is said to be considering an appearance on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here after being found not guilty on 12 sex charges this week

‘Michael would relish the chance to show the public what he is really like.’

The star was found not guilty of five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday.