Coronation Street fans disappointed by the non-appearance of Les Battersby at a York nightclub should not be too hard on the actor who plays him, Bruce Jones.

Mr Jones sent his apologies saying he was so busy learning his lines he overlooked his appointment at ikon&Diva at Clifton Moor.

Soap fanatics can surely understand his excuse. Wrestling with his character's inner torment over Toyah's relationship with eco-warrior Spider must be emotionally all-consuming. That is not to mention Les's perennial dilemmas of why Janice has not got his tea on the table and where the next pint's coming from.

York looks forward to welcoming Mr Jones next Wednesday, hopefully not too wrung out after another harrowing week in Weatherfield.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.