Peter Adamson - Life and Career

Life and Career

Born in Allerton, Liverpool, Adamson was the youngest of six children. His father was a manager of a menswear shop. Adamson left school at the age of 14 and took an office job in a solicitor's firm, before trying for a career as a commercial artist.

After taking part in a community play at the age of 17, Adamson moved to London and attended LAMDA, but left after two months. He returned to the North West, working in repertory theatre for several years, where he met his wife Jean. He also set up his own rep theatre company, producing and performing in plays and summer shows at Weston-super-Mare. He went on to appear in London's West End, and first appeared on television in 1956 in a variety show. He then gained roles in television dramas such as Granada Television's Skyport and Knight Errant Limited before being cast as Len Fairclough in Granada's fledgling series Coronation Street in late 1960. His character first appeared onscreen in January 1961.

One of the most enduring stars of the series, the role brought him fame, wealth, a lavish home, a cottage in Wales, a spectacular villa in Majorca and a range of cars he enjoyed being seen in. His initial salary after joining the cast of the Street was £10,000 a year - a huge sum in the early 1960s - and he could quickly double his income with personal appearances. By the late 1960s, however, he owed tens of thousands of pounds to the Inland Revenue.

Off screen, Adamson gained a reputation as a hell-raiser, admitting that he had a drink problem and had become involved in pub brawls. In 1969, he was suspended from the Street for three weeks without pay after three warnings about his drinking. He then attended Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1981, he was celebrated in an episode of This Is Your Life.