Coronation Street: Bill Roache reveals why he fears being AXED as Ken Barlow
CORONATION STREET star Bill Roache has revealed he was worried he might be written out of the soap when his character Ken Barlow suffered a stroke.
Scheming Ken Barlow tries to convince Sinead to dump Daniel
Bill, 84, has played Weatherfield's original lothario since 1960, making him the longest-serving living television actor in a continuous role.
However, when Ken collapsed last October after an argument with son Peter (played by Chris Gascoyne), the actor feared that it might be the end for his career.
He told the Mirror: “When Ken had a stroke it made me think about his mortality. I got a bit worried they might be writing him out.
“Fortunately his recovery was quite quick.”
Coronation Street stalwart Bill Roache feared he might be written out after Ken Barlow had a stroke
Coronation Street: Bill has played Ken since the soap's first episode in 1960
I got a bit worried they might be writing him out
Ken spent a number of weeks in hospital where he was reunited with his grandson Adam (Sam Robertson) and youngest son Daniel (Rob Mallard).
Since then he has been involved in some big storylines, most recently encouraging Daniel's girlfriend Sinead to have an abortion.
Bill credits his own good health to playing chess with his eldest son, fellow actor, Linus Roache.
Coronation Street: Ken as recently been involved in a big storyline with his son's girlfriend Sinead
He continued: “I don’t eat particularly well, or exercise particularly well but I enjoy life and have a positive attitude.
“For my mind I play online chess and scrabble with Linus, who lives in New York. Every evening I have a go at that."
Coronation Street continues tomorrow night at 7.30pm on ITV.