05-04-2025
Coronation Street icon gives update on soap character's future after 65 years
Coronation Street icon William Roache has given fans an update on the future of his beloved character, following a series of exits on the soap.
Roache is currently the longest-serving actor on the programme and has played the role of Ken Barlow since the very first episode of Corrie back in 1960.
However, the 92-year-old was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Entertainment Agents' Awards (TEAA) last week (March 25).
During his acceptance speech, much to the delight of Corrie viewers, Roache hinted he wouldn't be leaving Weatherfield anytime soon.
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He told Champions Speakers Agency: "It's a huge honour to receive this award, and I am very grateful for it.
"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.
"I've been fortunate to work with some absolutely incredible actors over that period and made a lifetime of memories.
"I'm looking forward to being in the programme for many more years to come.
"To receive the award from Claire [Sweeney] was extra special.
"It's been great to star alongside her in such a dramatic storyline."
After filming a recent dramatic scene with Roache, Sweeney, who has played Cassie Plummer on one of the nation's most famous streets since 2023, said she became 'tearful' after acting alongside the mega soap star.
The 53-year-old praised Roache for an emotional performance where his character Ken found out what Cassie had been up to.
In the scene, Cassie comes clean to Ken for slipping antihistamines into his drink in order to steal from him.
Discussing the moment, Sweeney commended her scene partner, calling his performance 'award-winning'.
Speaking about Roache, Sweeney revealed: 'It's an award-winning performance. It literally made me cry, he was so wonderful, so to do those scenes with Bill, who is a legend on screen, was just sensational.
'He did this very very dramatic scene and at the end, the crew, there was silence, and then he got a round of applause.
'I was bl**dy tearful, and I thought, 'God, he is wonderful. I hope he gets recognised for this'. He is brilliant.'
In recent episodes, ITV viewers have watched Cassie's antics unfold as she gets caught lacing Ken's drinks with antihistamines in an attempt to make him drowsy and reliant on her.
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She also took it as an opportunity to steal from him by making expensive purchases using his credit card until eventually Ken finds out and confronts her.
Sweeney added: 'There was a sense of relief because she couldn't have just carried on the way she was so with Cassie there was always going to come to a head and there has to be a bit of a redemption arch with the character.'
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV1 and ITVX.
