CORONATION Street actor, Michael Le Vell, who has played Kevin Webster in the soap since 1983, has been charged with 19 child sex offences.
The actor is accused of raping a child, indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child between 2001 and 2010.
"Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial."
Le Vell, 48, whose real name is Michael Turner, was first arrested in September 2011 and questioned over alleged child sex offences, but the matter was later dropped due to insufficient evidence. However, Greater Manchester Police confirmed late last night that Le Vell will appear in court in two weeks time, following a review of evidence by lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said: "I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences.
"Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial."
An ITV spokesperson said: "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
"It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."
