Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell is 'seeking professional help' while he takes a break from the show after admitting to taking cocaine.
Le Vell admitted to cocaine use at the weekend saying he took the Class A drug 'in a moment of weakness' in the weeks leading up to his sex abuse trial where he was cleared.
While the actor recently returned to the cobbles to resume his role as Kevin Webster, he wasn't on set this Monday.
The 49-year-old star reportedly had a 90-minute meeting with soap bosses, including executive producer Stuart Blackburn, on Tuesday regarding his future on the show.
Workout plans: Michael was pictured holding a brochure from a fitness centre as he arrived back home on Tuesday
Acting first: Michael has expressed his excitement at returning to the cobbles, back to work at Coronation Street
'That will be his personal choice. There are lots of options. It is about what he feels is right for his situation. This is someone who has been through a hell of an experience.'
Following the meeting an ITV spokesperson released a statement that read: 'Coronation Street and Michael Le Vell have mutually agreed that he will take a break from the programme while he seeks professional help for personal issues.'
According to the newspaper, Michael is expected to return to Coronation Street on March 21 as the mechanic and will feature in the role until the end of April after which he will be written out of the soap again.
Axed: The actor looked to have something on his mind as he walked along the street while holding the brochure
Fitness first: Michael looked disgruntled as he walked along with the timetable in his hand
A show insider added to the Daily Mirror: 'Everything that Michael has filmed will be seen on screen. He will be coming back as planned. As of this week he will be written out to accommodate him getting the help that he wants to get.'
The actor has blamed his ex-girlfriend for forcing him to reveal his cocaine use, but maintains it only happened once.
'I am not denying it. When you get caught you have to hold your hands up. But believe me I am not a drug addict or a regular user,' he told the Daily Star newspaper.
The star was cleared of 12 child sex charges, including rape, last year, and has pointed the finger at a former lover for forcing him to reveal his drug use.
Repentant: Michael admitted he regretted taking drugs, describing it as a 'moment of weakness'
He is now in a relationship with new girlfriend Louise Gibbons, 38, and says that he regrets taking a Class A drug in a 'moment of weakness'.
Revelation: Michael Le Vell has revealed he took cocaine in the lead up to his trial, last September
He said: 'Stupidly I tried it. It was a stupid mistake. But that episode is all behind me now. My life is now back on track, with a great girl at my side, after two years of stress.'
Coronation Street has a history of standing by its stars after revelations about drug use.
Actor and DJ Craig Charles, who plays popular cab driver Lloyd Mullaney, was temporarily thrown off the soap in 2006 when he was caught smoking crack. But he was given his job back.
Simon Gregson - who plays Steve McDonald - was asked to leave after it emerged that he was spending £1,000 a month on cocaine, before he returned.
Jimmi Harkishin, 54, who plays Dev Alahan, was also written out when he was caught out taking cocaine.
Le Vell said he tried cocaine after a friend offered it and said yesterday: ‘I never thought I was the sort of bloke.
Cleared: The Coronation Street actor, pictured
here after being cleared of all charges, said he never thought he would
take drugs
Le
Vell faced a two-year nightmare from the time he was first accused of
sex assaults in September 2011 until he was cleared last year.
After his first arrest prosecutors said they had dropped the case months later — but in February last year he was charged with a string of historic offences.
After his first arrest prosecutors said they had dropped the case months later — but in February last year he was charged with a string of historic offences.
'He needs to cut down on his boozing and focus on his career'
- Friend of Michael Le Vell
There were claims he would reach a local pub at around Midday most days and stay there.
His trial heard him open up about his alcohol consumption, with the actor admitting he contacted Alcoholics Anonymous after developing a habit where he drank up to nine pints every night.
The show's bosses gave him six months to recover from the trial, and it was alleged they had offered him help to quit the habit.
'My life is now back on track, with a great girl at my side, after two years of stress', he has said
A friend said he knows this is his last chance, adding: 'He needs to cut down on his boozing and focus on his career'.
On his return to the show, he will reportedly aim to rebuild his relationship with his on-screen ex-wife Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, who has meanwhile been dating Tim Metcalfe.
Stuart Blackburn, Coronation Street’s executive producer, previously told the Daily Mirror: ‘I can’t wait to have Michael back – We were all watching the news for the end of the trial and there were cheers going up around the set when the result came through. It was just a sense of relief.
‘The new set is like a fresh new start for Michael, it’s all about the future now.’
A spokesman for ITV said: 'We will be meeting with Michael to discuss this situation.'
MailOnline has contacted a representative of Michael for comment and an ITV representative for further comment.
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