The Sun today reports that Corrie star Michael Le Vell was delighted when he was told the all charges relating to an allegation of rape made against him have been dropped.

Michael, who of course plays Weatherfield mechanic Kevin Webster, learned of the good news after police contacted him to say “there is no case to answer.”

Last summer, Michael was arrested and subsequently bailed after the unnamed woman accused him of raping her when she was six years old.

He has always vigorously denied any wrongdoing, and should now feel completely vindicated since the CPS – Crown Prosecution Service – declared there was no case to answer.

However, he reportedly recently told a friend, “Mud sticks, doesn’t it? There will always be people whispering behind my back.

“All I can do is move on. My friends and the people who care about me most know I am an innocent man…”

The news of the charges came at a time when Michael had just split from his actress wife Janette, and inevitably, some media outlets concluded that the end of their long marriage related to the charges, but again, that’s something that Michael denies.

Meanwhile, Nazir Aszal, who is the Chief Prosecutor for the North West, said, “As there is no realistic prospect of conviction it is only right the allegations are prevented from going any further.”

A Corrie source last night responded, “There was never any doubt of Michael’s innocence in the eyes of the cast and crew.

“Bosses took a big risk because the damage to the reputation of Coronation Street would have been huge had he been charged.

“But they stood by their man and they, and him, have been vindicated.”

Yesterday, Michael’s co-star Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor, posted a message on a social networking site which reads, “Fantastic news about Michael having all charges dropped!”

Congratulations Michael!