Home / Arts and Entertainment / Corrie Icon Roache Honored With TV Special
Corrie Icon Roache Honored With TV Special
8 Jul
Summary
- Bill Roache, Ken Barlow's actor, will receive a special tribute program.
- The special marks his 66-year continuous acting tenure on Coronation Street.
- The program is expected to air in late 2026 or early 2027.
A special tribute program is in the works to celebrate Bill Roache, the actor behind Coronation Street's Ken Barlow. Roache has been a fixture on the ITV show since its first episode in 1960, marking an extraordinary 66 years in the role. The one-off program, tentatively titled 'Bill Roache: Life on the Street,' is expected to air between late 2026 and early 2027.
The 94-year-old actor holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving television star in a continuous role, a record he has held since 2010. His involvement in the special is confirmed, with production already underway. This honor is a rare recognition for individual cast members, with past examples including Barbara Knox and William Tarney.
Roache's career has been celebrated with numerous accolades, including a British Soap Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, an MBE in 2001, and an OBE in 2022. The spin-off is being produced by Manchester-based MultiStory, an ITV-owned company.
