Coronation Street fans have recently stumbled across 42-year-old footage of iconic character Kevin Webster and they cannot believe how young he looks.

The key Weatherfield figure, played by Michael Le Vell, first appeared on our screens in 1983 as a fresh-faced teenager, four years after his mother Alison died of cancer.

Three years later, the laid-back and uncomplicated character married fiery Sally Seddon before partnering up with Tony Horrocks to run the Coronation Street Garage.

Life was happy enough for the pair until Kevin had an affair with Tony’s mother Natalie in 1997, before marrying Alison Wakefield, who later threw herself under a lorry.

A lost Kevin persuaded Sally to take him back but during the noughties he strayed once more and, after a fling with Molly Dobbs which saw him father her child, the character eventually wed Abi Franklin in 2021.

Four decades on, viewers still tune in religiously to catch his latest dramatic plotlines, including the recent revelation that he has testicular cancer, and have now been shocked to discover footage of Kevin from a different era.

Coronation Street fans have recently stumbled across 42-year-old footage of iconic character Kevin Webster and they cannot believe how young he looks

Four decades on, viewers still tune in religiously to catch his latest dramatic plotlines, including the recent revelation that he has testicular cancer, and they cannot believe the old clip is real

The RareTVandFilm Facebook page posted the clip of actor Michael, then 18, appearing on the show for the very first time on Monday.

His character Kevin hitchhiked to Weatherfield and was lucky enough to be taken to the Rovers Return pub by fan favourite Alf Roberts (played by Bryan Mosley) and introduced to Brian Tilsley (Chris Quentin) and wife Gail (Helen Worth).

In a sliding doors moment, Kevin confidently put himself forward to become Brian’s mechanic, prompting a career in mending cars in Manchester. 

Wearing double denim, the teen was asked by the barman whether he could ‘manage a pint’ before explaining to Alf he had worked in a garage during a ‘youth employment scheme’.

He added: ‘I couldn’t find anything permanent and I’ve been looking round ever since.’

Alf replied: ‘Well I wish you luck son. You need it these days.’

Brian, sporting a classic 80s mullet, then arrived and told the Coronation Street icon that he could fix his car the next day.

After Alf explained he was no longer needed, the young Kevin told Brian that there had been a ‘bit of dirt in the carburetor’.

Kevin hitchhiked to Weatherfield and was lucky enough to be taken to the Rovers Return pub by fan favourite Alf Roberts (played by Bryan Mosley)

Wearing double denim, the teen was asked by the barman whether he could ‘manage a pint’ before explaining to Alf he had worked in a garage during a ‘youth employment scheme’

After entering the show, the laid-back and uncomplicated character married fiery Sally Seddon before partnering up with Tony Horrocks to run the Coronation Street Garage

After their divorce, a lost Kevin persuaded Sally to take him back but during the noughties they strayed once more and the character eventually married Abi Franklin (pictured, left) in 2021

The penny then dropped for Alf, who revealed to the teenager: ‘Come to think of it, he said he was looking for a lad.’

The Rovers Return regular then held Kevin’s beer as he brazenly asked Brian whether there was a job for him in his garage.

‘I was at Whitehead’s on Burnley Road – youth training scheme,’ he added.

Turning to his mother, a thrilled Brian said: ‘That’s who I want, mum. Young and cheap. 

Fans soon took to the comments to express their shock at the ancient clip, which provided the origin story of one of Coronation Street’s most notable characters.

One said: ‘I can’t remember this at all. I remember how he met Sally. She was standing at a bus stop and he pulled up in his car and won her over with his witty repartee.

Fans soon took to the comments to express their shock at the ancient clip, which provided the origin story of one of Coronation Street’s most notable characters

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‘What struck me about this clip is how positive we all are at eighteen, and how b****y miserable we are forty years later. Kevin is a different person here.’ 

Another added: ‘So much better without the moustache.’ 

A third posted: ‘Weird how much he looks like Sophie in his younger days. They actually look as if they could be real father and daughter.’ 

Another said: ‘The pub is so busy, full of people chatting and laughing. What a difference compared to today’s Rovers. Hardly anyone in there and those that are are usually moaning.’ 

One added: ‘Kevin looks so young!! The golden days of Corrie.’ 

And a sixth posted: ‘Corrie was a different show back then. All the characters were like real people that we could relate to. I miss it.’ 

Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.