A FORMER Coronation Street star who used to perform with members of The Smiths will play guitar at a music show this weekend.

Kevin Kennedy, who is best known for spending two decades portraying Curly Watts on the nation’s favourite street, will take part in the Guitars Saves Lives event at Brighton Komedia on Sunday.

Kevin will perform with the New Note Strummers at the show.

As well as acting , Kevin used to play guitar with the likes of Smiths members Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke.

The show aims to raise awareness of the role music can play in supporting those who are recovering from addictions to drugs and alcohol.

The actor, who now lives in Portslade, and his wife Clare founded Kennedy St and Co to help build the “resilience, wellbeing and employability skills” of people in recovery.

The charity uses different methods to aid those in recovery from addiction and helps them regain control of their lives

The couple have both been in recovery from addictions for almost 20 years.

Kevin said: “A guitar literally saved my life. I played with Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke in the early days of The Smiths.

“A guitar was my constant companion during the Corrie years and I took one into rehab. I have played since getting clean and sober.

“I am definitely going to play the song I played with Johnny Marr. People will have to come along to find out what that is.”

As well as Kevin, another man who has history with some of the world’s biggest rock bands will also be appearing at the show.

Andy Franks is a former high-flying tour manager who has worked with The Stone Roses, The Rolling Stones, Madness and Coldplay. Ahead of the show he revealed the reality of life on the road with top musicians.

Now living in Kemp Town, Andy is a multi award-winning tour manager.

He will be in conversation on the night with journalist Jon Wilde and will discuss his own recovery from addiction.

He said: “When I was sacked by Coldplay in 2012, the band told me to get help.

“But I didn’t know where to look. It took me two more years to get sober. Some people are at a loss about where to ask for help, or even afraid to ask.

“If I am able to help one person climb out of the bottom bunk of despair, then I will feel life is about giving.”