TWO titans of Coronation Street’s past went head to head as they reunited at a wrestling event in Manchester.
Les Battersby actor Bruce Jones, 71, made a sensational switch to the world of professional wrestling last year and has proved to be a big draw in the ring.
This weekend he clashed with another cobbles legend, Ashley Peacock star Steven Arnold, 49, inside Manchester’s Trinity Sports Centre, though the action stopped short of punches and suplexes.
There was bad blood between the pair in the build up to the bout.
In a promo video, Steven said: “Les – you can run and hide all you want. We both know what you’ve done and I’m not having it. Don’t dare say it wasn’t you, because I know it was’ Ashley began.
“You think you’ve got a gang? You think that the LBWO (Les Battersby World Order) is a gang? Well I’ll show you a gang Battersby, bank holiday May 6th – get ready for the Butcher Club you cheeky little monkey.”
Wearing a Burberry shirt on the night, Steven squared up to Bruce, who donned a cream jumper, outside of the squared circle.
They looked to have a fiery exchange before their attention turned to action in the ring.
Bruce couldn’t resist getting stuck in and was pictured roaring and manhandling bigger wrestlers.
Ever the showman, he lapped up the applause and even had a go on the mic, much to the delight of the crowd.
Steven’s cameo appearance came after it was revealed he is a case of real life imitating art; he is working as a butcher, just like his character Ashley.
The star, who appeared in Corrie from 1995 to 2010, is currently an employee of Bennett’s of Yorkshire Quality Butchers and has been spotted on numerous occasions working shifts at their high street shop.
When Bruce made his debut for SOVPRO (Sovereign Pro Wrestling) earlier this year, the promotion declared: “They don’t call him Batters-by for nothing!”
Appearing in front of 200 people at the same venue, Bruce soaked up the atmosphere as he arrived in Les’s classic double denim jeans and jacket combo and a black promotional T-shirt.
Entering to a track Les would be proud of – Rockin’ All Over The World by Status Quo – Bruce shook hands with fans as he made his way into the ring to cheers.
He soon proved he was more than just a gimmick – showing off some impressive wrestling moves, landing one of the stars flat on their back – and taking some hits in the process.
Speaking ahead of his debut in the ring, Bruce admitted to The Guardian it was a promo spot that got out of hand, joking: “So, they were like: ‘You don’t mind getting knocked about in the ring a bit, do you?’”
The crowd went wild as fans rushed the star to get his picture and spend time with him.
Sam Gradwell, who also competed in the ring, later joked on X (previously Twitter): “How often do you get back from your match and a hammered Les Battersby is waiting for you with a beer to congratulate you on your win?”
“‘I thought you lads were gonna f**kin kill each other!’ Life is a fever dream,” he added alongside pictures of him laughing with Bruce in backstage.
“300 plus erupted into ‘Les’ chants after witnessing Bruce Battersby run the ropes better than snoop dogg,” declared an onlooker.
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The move marked a big comeback for the actor – who starred in panto in Manchester at the end of 2023.
Bruce was reportedly fired from Corrie after he allegedly got drunk with reporters and spilled a series of top-secret storylines.
During his time on screen, Les was a devoted dad to Leanne (Jane Danson) and Toyah (Georgia Taylor), and long-suffering husband to Janice (Vicky Entwistle) and later Cilla (Wendi Peters).
Devoted rocker Les walked out on his new family to become a roadie for tribute band ZZ Top O’ the Morning in 2007.
He later called son-in-law Chesney in 2008 to say he wouldn’t be returning.
