Coronation Street legend William Roache has reunited with his former on-screen wife as part of a documentary to mark his 90th birthday.
The actor has played Weatherfield resident Ken Barlow since the first-ever episode in 1960.
Happy Birthday Bill, which airs on ITV tonight (April 19), celebrates Bill reaching the milestone birthday and his record-breaking time on the cobbles.
During the show, the soap veteran is reunited with Anne Reid more than 50 years after her exit from Corrie.
Anne played Ken’s first wife Valerie, who died after being electrocuted by a faulty hairdryer in 1971.
Opening about the highlight of making the documentary, Bill said: “Without a doubt meeting up with Anne Reid again after all those years.
(Image: ITV)
“She played my wife in Coronation Street for eight years and I was very sad when she chose to leave.
“When Valerie died she was due to meet Ken at the Rovers so when she walked through the doors finally 52 years later it was a lovely moment, we both just started laughing.
“It was beautiful to see her again, to me she looks no different.”
Bill also revealed his shock at finding out Anne had a crush on him when they worked together.
(Image: ITV)
He said: “I was surprised. She told me that she used to dream about me and I laughed and said don’t you mean nightmares? And then she told me that she had a crush on me, but she never told me at the time.
“She had also given me a silver cup when she left that she had engraved with ‘We must do it again some time’ so it was nice that we finally got that chance.”
In 2020, William was awarded a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving television star in a continuous role.
(Image: Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Opening up about still working at 90, he explained: “I suppose I always feel like I’m learning.
“You know, people ask me if the younger ones ask me for advice and I say no, they’re all so good and confident that I feel I should ask them.
“I always feel I’m still growing up. I never feel grown up in life anyway. And then I’ve always got things to learn. Working with people like Chris Gascoyne and so many other members of the cast is so good. It’s such a privilege.
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“And of course then for someone like Ian McKellan to come into the street, that was a wonderful opportunity to learn from him.
He continued: “I’m learning all the time and growing and developing myself. I suppose that keeps you young if I became complacent or say all ‘I’ve done 60 years I know it all now’ that would not be the right thing to do.
“I still feel I’m not quite getting it as good as it could be. And that I could do better, it keeps you on your toes and that keeps it fresh and enjoyable.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
