Bill Roache, 92, makes stance clear on ITV Coronation Street future amid retirement fears
Coronation Street legend Bill Roache OBE has spoken out about his future on the beloved soap opera.
The 92-year-old actor, the world’s longest serving soap star, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Entertainment Agents’ Awards this week.
Roache has starred as Ken Barlow in Coronation Street since the programme first began in 1960.
Some 65 years later, he was honoured with the award – somewhat ironically received from Claire Sweeney, 53, whose character Cassie Palmer attempted to kill Ken in a tense plot.
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“It’s a huge honour to receive this award, and I am very grateful for it,” Roache began at the ceremony.
He glowed: “I’ve enjoyed a wonderful career and to have spent so many years working on such a special programme like Coronation Street has been magical.”
Reflecting further on his time on the soap, the 92-year-old said: “I’ve been fortunate to work with some absolutely incredible actors over that period and made a lifetime of memories.”
After such a long and illustrious career on the cobbles, there have naturally been questions about Roache’s future on the show.
“I’m looking forward to being in the programme for many more years to come,” Roache confirmed defiantly.
Earlier this year, Roache doubled down on his ambition to be “the first centenarian who is still cast in an ongoing drama”.
“That’s my aim, to be 100 and still working on Coronation Street. While they want me and while I can do it, I’ll continue to do it,” he explained.
Back at this week’s awards, Roache also paid tribute to his co-star Sweeney after she handed him the award.
“To receive the award from Claire was extra special. It’s been great to star alongside her in such a dramatic storyline,” he glowed.
Sweeney, who joined the cast in 2023 as Tyrone Dobbs’ long-lost mother, kept viewers on edge as her character attempted to slowly poison Ken by posing as his carer.
“I feel very honoured to have worked with Bill. Not only is he a legend, he is part of the very fabric of British television,” Sweeney said about Roache.
“Watching him and working with him – he never drops a line, he’s so smart and aware, and just seems to be ahead of everyone.
“He’s brilliant, he’s a kind and generous man, and I feel honoured to have this storyline with him,” she celebrated.