The actor on being ‘Curly’ Watts for 20 years, beating his addiction and playing the same festival as Johnny Cash

Born in 1961 in Wythenshawe, Manchester, Kevin Kennedy is best known for playing Norman “Curly” Watts on ITV soap opera Coronation Street. The  Manchester Polytechnic graduate portrayed the supermarket worker from 1983 to 2003, as well as sustaining a career in music as a solo artist and in bands. He has appeared in musicals including We Will Rock You and Rock of Ages, and stars in Punk Off – The Sounds of Punk and New Wave, which tours until 7 March.

That Barbour jacket and I have been through a lot together. Being Curly was always comforting, like putting on a pair of slippers you’ve worn for years.