Coronation Street icon Bill Roache has signed another contract with the ITV soap for a 64th year.
The 91-year-old is the longest-serving member of the show having played the role of Ken Barlow since the first episode aired in 1960. He also holds the world record for an actor playing a continuous part.
Talking openly about his amazing career, Bill previously said he has no plans of retiring. He told The Sun: “My aim is to be 100 and still working on Coronation Street. People will say, ‘When are you retiring’’. But then what happens?
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“Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. He added: “If you enjoy doing something, keep doing it.”
In December last year, Bill was awarded an OBE by King Charles for his services to acting. Exposing his playful interaction with the monarch, he is said to have asked him: “Not still working are you?”
Talking on ITV show, This Morning about his achievement for his contribution to television, he said: “It’s always lovely. I sort of comparing it to getting a prize at school – it’s a little pat on the back, and it’s lovely.”
The actor added: The great thing about Coronation Street is it shows the well-rounded characters,’ he explained. ‘We can develop and change, the writers will see that in the actor and put it through into the character.
“So, it’s like a living organic process and it works very well. I’m just very fortunate to have this job.”
Since his time on Corrie, Bill has been a part of a number of hard hitting and comical storylines. This includes his wife Deidre’s death and his many affairs over the years.
Most recently fans were left distraught when Ken’s son Peter (Chris Gascoyne) quit Weatherfield with a one-way ticket to Spain. Peter previously confessed that he had been feeling emotionally low and found it tough dealing with the fact that he killed serial killer, Stephen.
Fans were left further shocked when it was revealed that Peter’s son Simon, played by actor Alex Bain, was also leaving the show. But an insider recently told The Sun: “There are big plans for the Barlows over the next 12 months.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
