Michael Le Vell has been sober for five weeks.
The ‘Coronation Street’ star – who at the height of his alcoholism would down up to 12 pints a night – left The Priory rehab clinic near Hale in Greater Manchester on April 20 after completing a three-week treatment course for alcohol abuse.
Michael is sticking to his new clean lifestyle and is regularly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and is "feeling better than ever".
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Many of the cast and crew have been in touch and they have been delighted to hear that he is feeling fit and well and staying away from the booze."
"Michael says he is feeling better than ever."
The 49-year-old star is currently house-hunting with his girlfriend Louise Gibbons as he wants to quit his rented home in Hale because the house holds too any unhappy memories as he lived there after separating from his wife of 25 years Janette Beverley, 48, and as he waited to face trial on child sex abuse claims, charges he was found not-guilty of in court in September 2013.
Michael has decided to take his relationship with Louise to the next level after she stood by him through revelations made by his former lover Blanca Fouche that he took cocaine and had a threesome with her and another man when he and Blanca were together.
A friend of the actor’s said: "They are looking a place to call their own because his old one has too many bad memories … Michael is absolutely head over heels in love with Louise and his problems over the last few months have brought them even closer together. He has been bowled over by the fact that she has been 100 percent there for him."
Michael is due to return to ‘Coronation Street’ in September, and bosses have decided to ease him back into the soap gently and not give him any major storylines until he feels totally comfortable back on set.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Michael knows the graveness of what has gone on and realises he has really got to get his act together. The original notion was to bring him back and thrust him into a massive storyline.
"But it seems he will be allowed to settle in at the right pace."
Michael Le Vell sober for five weeks
