Former Coronation Street actor pleads guilty to producing indecent images of children

Former Coronation Street star Eric Potts has pleaded guilty to producing indecent images of children.

Best known for playing the cobbles' resident baker Diggory Compton in 50 episodes aired between 2005 and 2006, Potts has appeared in court following his arrest in August.

At the time, Lancashire police found that an internet user had uploaded an indecent video of a child to a file-sharing website. Police subsequently raided Potts' home in Bacup, Lancashire, as it was linked to the incriminated account and seized the actor's devices. He was found to have shared five images on 16 July 2024.

Now, Potts has been summoned to Blackburn Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

"Police officers attended the defendant's home address and, seized a PC, an HP Laptop and an iPhone," prosecutor Safia Hussain said in court (via Metro.co.uk).

"They were taken for examination by the digital forensic unit, and a number of indecent images were found on the devices.

"The defendant was therefore charged with making and distributing images of Categories A, B, and C."

A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: "On August 20 last year we received information that the user of a file sharing account had uploaded an indecent video of a child to the internet.

"Officers from the Internet Child Exploitation Team attended the address linked to the account and arrested Eric Potts on suspicion of possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

"He was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

"Following an examination of his devices more illegal imagery was found and Potts, 61, of Bacup, was further arrested.

"He was charged in September this year and appeared at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on 1 October where he pleaded guilty."

Potts is expected to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court next month.

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.