Strained Coronations Street star Michael Le Vell arrives at court to face 19 child sex charges Michael Le Vell faces 19 child sex charges including six counts of rape Star plays mechanic Kevin Webster but is currently suspended by ITV Actor appeared at Manchester Crown Court under real name Michael Turner 'It's an early finish for you lot, innit?' star said to media as he left Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has made his first appearance at crown court today accused of 19 child sex crimes and was told he will stand trial in September. The star, who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, has been charged with 19 offences including six counts of raping a child, six allegations of indecently assaulting a child and seven counts of sexual activity with a child. The 48-year-old appeared at Manchester Crown Court under his real name of Michael Turner and did not enter a plea but has 'vigorously' denied the alleged sex crimes. As he left court and walked to his car, the star smiled at the large group of photographers and camera crews that mobbed him and joked: 'It's an early finish for you lot, innit?' He made no other comments. Hearing over: Actor Michael Le Vell gives the thumbs up as he leaves Manchester Crown Court today Appearance: Coronation Street Actor Michael Le Vell arrives at Manchester Crown Court today to face 19 child sex charges During today's preliminary hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes, Le Vell, wearing a dark pinstripe suit, white shirt and black tie, spoke only to confirm his name. Six members of his family sat in the public gallery of the packed courtroom. Le Vell has not yet entered a plea but has stated publicly that he is innocent and will fight the allegations through the courts. Prosecutor Eleanor Laws told Judge Michael Henshell that a plea hearing will take place on May 17 followed by a two to three-week trial starting on September 2. Alisdair Williamson, defending, asked for an earlier trial date, saying: 'Mr Turner has had this hanging over his head for 18 months.' But Judge Henshell said the September date should be fixed and granted the actor bail until the plea hearing, at the same court, in May. Asked by the judge if he understood, Le Vell nodded and said 'Thank you', before leaving the dock. Pressure: A huge media scrum ensued as the actor arrived, and he was helped through the crowd by a minder Walk: The diminutive soap star was dwarfed by security and police as he entered Manchester Crown Court The alleged offences relate to one complainant and all took place between 2001 and 2010. Le Vell appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court last month and is on bail on condition he surrenders his passport, does not contact named witnesses and does not have unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 14. He has not yet entered a plea but has stated publicly he is innocent and will fight the allegations through the courts. He was first arrested in September 2011 and questioned over alleged child sex offences, but the matter was later dropped. Earlier this year the Crown Prosecution Service said it was in the public interest to charge him with the current offences following a review of evidence. Le Vell, a father of two, is one of TV's most famous faces after playing garage owner and mechanic Webster for the past 30 years. Stalwart: Michael Le Vell, real name Michael Turner, has been in the ITV soap since 1983 and is one of the country's biggest soap stars TV personality: Michael Le Vell as Kevin Webster with Sally Whittaker who plays his on screen wife Sally Webster in Coronation Street Accused: Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been charged with 19 child sex offences, pictured with his wife Janette Beverley, who he split with last year The star, originally from Manchester, began his showbusiness career in the Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics while at school. He first joined Coronation Street in 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans who have followed the trials and tribulations of Kevin, from his time as Brian Tilsley's apprentice mechanic through to his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, and fathering two girls, Rosie and Sophie, as well as a son, Jack, from his affair with Molly Dobbs. The actor split from his wife, Janette Beverley, last year. ITV has said he will not be appearing in any further episodes of the soap pending the outcome of legal proceedings.