Biography

Bruce grew up on the tough Monsall Estate in Manchester. His father was a steelworker and his mother pressed clothes in factories. Bruce went to night school to study drama while working as a boiler maker, pipe fitter and part time fireman. He also worked the Northern club circuit as part of a comedy double act called 'Clark and Jones'. He got his big break when he made two commercials directed by Ken Loach and was sent to audition for Raining Stones. He was told all the main parts had gone, but was called back for a number of auditions, then was given the lead cameo in The Full Monty. Afterwards, he was cast as Les Battersby in Coronation Street. His 2nd marriage was to Sandra .He has two children from both his marriages, and lives near Stockport.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5

On 10th October 1977, he and a friend discovered the body of murdered prostitute Jean Jordan, a victim of the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, in allotments near Princess Road, Manchester.

He was the oldest of six children born to a steel erector father, Bruce and his factory worker wife Irene. He grew up in Collyhurst and left school at sixteen. During his school time he appeared in school plays beginning with a part as the wise man in the school nativity play at the age of 5.

He trained at the Manchester Theatre School.

But I sat and watched 'Corrie' with my wife on Monday night, and at the end of part one of that show I walked out the room and I didn't go back until I heard the music at the end. I just couldn't watch it. Where were the storylines? There was no comedy. My wife said to me when I came back, 'Why did you go out?' I said, 'Sandra, that is not a show I was in. That was not the show I spent 10 years in.' So no, I'm sorry I couldn't watch it. I went out and I made a cup of coffee.