Disgraced TV star Craig Charles has admitted he contemplated committing suicide several times over his crack cocaine addiction.

The Coronation Street star was exposed last year as a crack addict, and the actor says his year along addiction not only cost him a quarter of a million pounds � but also his life.

He tells the News Of The World, �If I'd carried on as I was I'd have been dead in a year - either from a massive heart attack sparked by a drug overdose or because I'd have been murdered by gangsters.

"My wife Jackie left me twice because she was so disgusted by my behaviour. There were so many times I seriously considered committing suicide. I was just desperately, desperately sad and would be climbing the walls in a real pit of despair."

However, Charles� problems haven�t cost him his job � after ten months recovery he is now back on Coronation Street.

He says, �I�ve been to hell and back and lived to tell the story� � which is probably a fitting sentiment on Easter Sunday.