Coronation Street star dies

Peter Adamson with Coronation Street co-star Pat Phoenix

Former Coronation street actor Peter Adamson who played Len Fairclough in the soap has died aged 72.

His character, who was in the series for 23 years, was best known for his affair with Elsie Tanner while married to his wife Rita.

He died on Thursday from advanced stomach cancer, according to the Sunday People.

In 1983, he was cleared of a charge of indecent assault on two girls at a public swimming pool.

I just wish I could have said goodbye before he died

Clifford Adamson

But was sacked from the ITV show nearly 20 years ago when he sold his story to a newspaper.

Script writers killed off his soap character by giving Len Fairclough a heart attack at the wheel of his car.

His exit from the show was quickly followed by a decline in his personal fortunes.

A year after the trial his wife died and by 1991 he was bankrupt.

He spent last few years of his life living in relative obscurity in a rented flat in Welton, Lincolnshire.

A Coronation Street spokesman said: "We're sorry to hear of Peter's death and send our condolences to his family."

Adamson was taken to Lincoln County Hospital with stomach pains but died from the advanced cancer, the People reports.

His older brother Clifford said: "It was like a bolt from the blue. I just wish I could have said goodbye before he died."