Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has spoken out in support of Michael Le Vell (Picture: Xposurephotos.com)

Helen Flanagan was among the first of Michael Le Vell’s Coronation Street castmates to show her support to the ‘strong’ star after he was acquitted of child sex offences.

The 48-year-old was acquitted on 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 today.

And as soon as the ‘not guilty’ verdict was given, his fellow Corrie stars flooded Twitter with messages of relief and congratulations.

Helen, 23, led the tributes to Le Vell, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, tweeting: ‘Justice. Strong man. X’




The actress, who played his on-screen daughter Rosie Webster until she left after 11 years last year, has always been a firm supporter of his.

In March she told the Sunday People: ‘I don’t believe it for a second. I can’t believe what Michael is going through. It sickens you to the stomach and it is so upsetting what that man has been through.

Michael Le Vell is hugged by his sister Sue after walking out of court a free man (Picture: PA)

‘I have a lot of respect for the man because I have grown up with him. He’s a lovely, lovely man. Everyone at Coronation Street is behind him. It’s a respect thing.’

But there were a whole host of other names keen to show Le Vell they were behind him.

His other on-screen daughter Sophie Webster, played by Brooke Vincent, posted some smiley faces before adding later: ‘BUZZIN!!!!’ along with a picture of her with Le Vell and his on-screen wife Sally Webster, played by Sally Dynevor.

Kym Lomas, who plays Michelle Connor, tweeted: ‘Amazing news for all the corrie family today!! #justice,’ while Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, referenced the fact Le Vell went straight for a pint after the verdict, tweeting: ‘Might go for a drink now.’

Ryan Thomas, who plays the part of builder Jason Grimshaw, wrote: ‘NOT GUILTY YESSSSSSSS!’ before adding: ‘Just spoke to Mike and im very pleased to say he’s NOT guilty!!!!!! Yessssssssssss!! Best news ever!!!!’. Clearly thoroughly relieved at his friend getting justice, he later added that he, ‘can’t stop smiling!!’

MORE: Michael Le Vell’s friends and family claim he was victim of ‘celebrity witch-hunt’

Brooke Vincent posted this photo of her with Le Vell and fellow co-star Sally Dynevor (Picture: Twitter)

And Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, wrote: ‘The truth will always out…’

Even castmates that have now left the show were quick to show their support.

Sacha Parkinson, who played Vincent’s lesbian lover Sian Powers, excitedly tweeted: ‘Michael Le Vell!!!’

And Steve Huison, who played Eddie Windass in the long-running show, said: ‘Mike Le Vell cleared of all charges. I hope the hang ’em and shoot ’em brigade are thoroughly ashamed.

‘Maybe now we can finally have a debate about false accusation. I suggest reading Arthur Miller’s The Crucible as a starting point.’

Michael Le Vell plays Kevin Webster in Coronation Street (Picture: ITV)

And Corrie director Mickey Jones simply tweeted: ‘Hallelujah.’



Meanwhile, soap bosses are keen to get Michael back on the show as soon as possible.

Commenting after the verdicts, a spokeswoman for Coronation Street said: ‘We are looking forward to meeting with Michael to discuss his return to the programme.’

At the moment, Kevin Webster is said to be visiting his sick father in Scotland in the soap.

Helen stars in Celebrity Super Spa, which starts on Friday (September 13) at 10pm on Channel 5.