Michael Le Vell has been warned to clean up his act by former Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones.
Jones was axed from his role as Les Battersby in 2007 due to his alcohol problems and he is worried his co-star and pal, who was recently suspended for cocaine use, could end up losing it all like him.
The Kevin Webster actor has had a tumultuous 18 months that saw him face trial for alleged sex assault crimes. He was cleared of all charges in September and returned to the ITV soap recently, but has now been dropped again after admitting to Class A drug use.
Bruce told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I went to see Michael before his trial and wished him all the best and was looking out for him.
"I don't want what happened to me to happen to Michael.
"I ended up on the streets, completely broke with nowhere to go - it was an awful time. I know he can beat his demons though, he's stronger than me and a great actor."
Bruce, 61, has now turned his life around and has urged Michael, 49, to do the same by throwing himself into his work.
He added: "He's got to not be scared of life and get on with things. He needs to go and talk it out, he mustn't bottle it up."
Tagged in Bruce Jones Michael Le Vell