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Peter Adamson, known for his iconic role as Len Fairclough on the beloved ITV series Coronation Street, passed away in 2002 at the age of 72. Despite a career that spanned over two decades and 1,730 episodes, Adamson found himself reliant on state support in his later years. He spent his final days as a recluse in Bury, after a series of personal and professional setbacks derailed his life following the end of his acting career in the 1980s.
Adamson’s portrayal of Len Fairclough from 1961 to 1983 was his final role, as his career came to an abrupt stop following accusations of indecent assault against two eight-year-old girls at Haslingden Baths, where he was also a swimming instructor. Though acquitted of these charges in Burnley Crown Court, the scandal cast a long shadow over his life. In a controversial move, Adamson sold his story to The Sun newspaper, where he allegedly confessed to the incident during a drunken interview, claiming, “I am totally guilty of everything the police said. But what I hope you will print – there was no sexual intent.” This interview, for which he was paid £110,000, sealed his fate with ITV, leading to his dismissal from Coronation Street.
Attempting to escape the fallout, Adamson moved to Canada but soon returned to the UK. By 1991, financial troubles had caught up with him, leading to bankruptcy. Despite previously earning a substantial salary from his long tenure on Coronation Street—equivalent to about £190,000 annually today—Adamson was forced to live in rented housing and rely on benefits when his career opportunities dried up.
Financial difficulties were not new to Adamson. During his time on Coronation Street, he struggled with alcoholism, which affected his professional life. By the late 1960s, his drinking had led to significant debts to the Inland Revenue and resulted in a suspension from the show in 1969.
The actor was consuming alcohol excessively whilst working and by the late 1960s had accumulated tens of thousands in debt to Inland Revenue, before being suspended from Corrie in 1969 owing to his alcoholism.
The legal costs from his trial worsened his financial difficulties, and when his wife Jean passed away shortly following the trial, circumstances deteriorated further for the actor.
His concluding projects featured radio acting roles and a West End staging of Dial M for Murder, alongside an appearance in Vanburgh’s The Relapse in 1988. The star was survived by two sons when he died in 2002.