Corrie Kev: Boozing & betting at races (and still bankrupt)
Bankrupt Le Vell’s Cheltenham punt
CORRIE actor Michael Le Vell was quids in after backing the winner in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham yesterday, just weeks after he was declared bankrupt.
The star, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster, was revealed to be broke recently, despite earning £250,000 a year on the ITV soap.
But he was spotted enjoying himself at the Cheltenham Festival with co-star Alan Halsall, who plays screen pal Tyrone Dobbs.
They arrived at the Gloucestershire course by helicopter before having a pint and a punt.
Halsall, 36, posted snaps of them touching down before heading to a private box to meet fellow ITV star and racehorse owner Jeremy Kyle, who was later turned away from a restaurant for not having a pass.
Le Vell, 53, who wore a smart three-piece check suit, was then seen lighting up a cigarette and leading his mates towards the Guinness Village as they were mobbed by fans for selfies.
The actor, who has previously told of his struggle with the demon drink, was then seen enjoying a pint of the black stuff. And he was even offering tips.
Asked by Channel 4 Racing who he was betting on, he said: “We’re going for Native River, do you know who I got that from? Jeremy Kyle.
“We support Man United and Burnley so probably Definitely Red as well.”
And there were wild celebrations from the Corrie crew as 5/1 Native River won. Halsall said: “We all put a bit on so we were all jumping around.”
Native River won a thrilling duel with 4/1 favourite Might Bite in the 18-runner Gold Cup.
Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, said: “Might Bite was the nightmare result but Native River wasn’t kind to us either.
“It was a much-needed result for punters who got off to a terrible start with all three favourites being beaten in the previous races.” But the most amazing race of the day came from Harriet Tucker, who dislocated her shoulder in the Foxhunter Chase and popped it back in to win on Pacha Du Polder. More than 70,000 were at the festival’s finale yesterday, in which an estimated £20million was bet on the Gold Cup alone. Organisers said a record 262,000 visited over the four days, topping last year’s 260,000. Meanwhile, the UK’s third-oldest man Ralf Hoare, 109, was guest of honour. He started betting on the horses when the Second World War started and still puts a 10p stake in every week. Ralf said: “I’ve had a wonderful afternoon. I’ve been a racing fan since I was about 30. I haven’t been to Cheltenham for many years so it’s very special to be back.”