Ken Barlow has been portrayed by William Roache since the inaugural Coronation Street episode aired in 1960. It appears that he will be spending a considerable amount of time on the cobbles going forward.
It has been reported that William Roache has committed to playing Ken Barlow for a 64-year term. The 91-year-old star of Coronation Street is said to have extended his contract with the long-running drama.
From the show’s very first episode, which aired in December 1960, he has played Ken. The only remaining original cast member of Corrie, which aired twice a week in the beginning, is Bill.
He will now continue playing the part, which has already made him the longest-serving TV actor in a continuous role in the world, according to The Sun. Only a few days have passed since Chris Gascoyne’s character, Ken’s son Peter, departed for Spain on a one-way ticket.
Additionally, there are rumors that Alex Bain, Ken’s grandson, is leaving the soap opera. Bill once stated, “My goal is to live to be 100 years old and still be employed on Coronation Street.”
‘When are you retiring?’ people will ask. What then occurs, though? I have no intention of retiring as long as I am able to do it and as long as they will have me.”
He continued: “I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me.
“For me, it’s really just the same as ever. Getting on with it, steady as you go.
“If you enjoy doing something, keep doing it.”
Bill was awarded an OBE by King Charles for his services to acting last December.
Revealing his playful interaction with the monarch, he is said to have asked him: “Not still working are you?”
It follows the star’s earlier disclosure of how he almost left Corrie to pursue his dream of acting in Westerns.
“There was a time in my career when I was in my 40s and thought if I’m going to get out and do something else, now is the time,” he said to The Sunday People.
“… [But] I realised I’m really proud of Coronation Street, lucky to be in it.”
Express.co.uk has contacted a Coronation Street spokesperson for comment.
