Smiling for the cameras: Coronation Street star facing charges

Smiling as he leaves his local pub, Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell gives onlookers a thumbs-up, just days after he had looked looked tired and emotional before he appeared in court charged with sexual offences against a child.
The 48-year-old, who plays garage mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV1 series, appeared happy as he left The Railway pub, in Hale, Cheshire.
After leaving the pub on Friday he appeared to whistle and smile as he visited a bookmakers and then headed home.

Cheerful: Le Vell gives onlookers the thumbs-up (left), just days after he had looked tired and emotional before appearing in court (right)

Whistling: Michael Le Vell was seen whistling and smiling as he walked around the village of Hale, in Cheshire

On Wednesday he had stood in the dock before a packed courtroom. Appearing under his real name, Michael Turner, the soap star arrived for an eight-minute hearing at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court, just a few hundred yards from the Granada Studios where he has filmed for the past 30 years.
Le Vell is charged with 19 sexual offences against a child including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity.
The alleged sex offences all relate to one child and took place between 2001 and 2010, the court was told. Le Vell arrived flanked by minders and stood in the glass-panelled dock.
The father-of-two, who wore a light grey suit, white shirt and black tie, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
District Judge Khalid Qureshi asked Richard Gowthorpe, defending, if there was any indication of plea, to which Mr Gowthorpe replied: ‘No indication of plea other than the fact that the charges are contested, and will be fully contested in the crown court.’
Le Vell was bailed on condition that he surrenders his passport, does not contact witnesses and does not have unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 14.

Charges: Le Vell is charged with 19 sexual offences against a child including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity

Out and about: Le Vell appeared to be waving (left) and smiling (right) while out in the village of Hale, in Cheshire

He left court looking tearful and distressed as members of the public looked on. The actor was first arrested at his £750,000 home in Hale in September 2011 after a teenage girl claimed he had sexually assaulted her.
But three months later, after a police investigation, prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to take the allegations to court.
At the time Le Vell said he was ‘delighted’ to have been ‘completely exonerated’ and was said to be relieved he was able to continue his Coronation Street career.

He thanked police for their ‘thorough investigation’ and expressed his gratitude to fans and the Coronation Street cast for their loyal support during ‘a most difficult and upsetting phase in my life’. Le Vell returned to the show after a short break and was recently involved in some of its main storylines.
But last month it was announced that after a review of the evidence, he had been charged with 19 sex offences. At the time Le Vell, who split from Janette Beverley, his wife of 25 years, last year, said he intended to fight all the charges ‘vigorously’.
Le Vell is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court this month.

First appearance: During the eight-minute hearing Le Vell (right) only spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth before the case was sent up to crown court

Pack: Security surrounds the actor as he is rushed out of the magistrates' court

A Twitter user was arrested on Friday over claims he revealed the identity of the alleged victim in the child sex case involving Le Vell.
Police said the tweet, sent on Wednesday, also contained 'personal opinion' from the sender about Le Vell's alleged victim.
Under law, victims of all sexual offences are automatically granted anonymity for life.
A 23-year-old man from Cheadle, Greater Manchester, was arrested on suspicion of publishing a name, address or photograph that would identify someone that should be anonymous.
He was held in custody for questioning and later released on bail pending further inquiries, police said.

Stalwart: Michael Le Vell, real name Michael Turner, has been in the ITV soap since 1983 and is one of the country's biggest soap stars