Ex-Coronation Street actor denies child sex charges

FORMER Coronation Street actor Andrw Lancel has denied sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

• Former Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel denies six counts of indecent assault on child under age of 15

• Actor Lancel, 42, also appeared in long-running ITV police drama The Bill

Lancel, 42, was charged last November under his real name Andrew Watkinson.

The actor, from Gateacre in Liverpool, is best known for his role as Frank Foster in the ITV soap.

Watkinson appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today where he pleaded not guilty to six counts of indecent assault of a child under the age of 15.

The charges relate to one male victim and the offending allegedly took place between 1993 and 1994, the court heard.

Watkinson, wearing a grey suit, white shirt and grey and black chequered tie, was granted bail until his five-day trial starts on June 3.