Coronation Street spoilers: Ken Barlow star speaks out on quitting ITV soap ‘Bit restless’

Ken (played by William Roache) is the only member of the Coronation Street cast to have been on the ITV soap since it first aired in December 1960. Over the past 60 years, the character has been embroiled in family disputes, affairs and has almost been killed off several times. In the lead up to the show’s landmark anniversary, it has been revealed why the stalwart almost quit the role.

The cobbles monarch has had several wives, mistresses and partners over the years, what with the character being some what of a lothario.

However, none are more poignant than his relationship with his late wife Deidre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride), which had its fair share of trouble.

One of the most memorable storylines of their marriage was an explosive love triangle involving the pair and businessman Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs).

It has now emerged if this plot had not had happened, Weatherfield might have suffered a devastating loss as soap star William, 87, has revealed he almost quit his role prior to this.

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Speaking with The Daily Mirror, the actor explained he considered leaving the show before the affair storyline was put to him.

William said: “There was a time when I was about 40 when I became a bit restless. I’d been playing Ken for 20 years and it seemed they didn’t know what to do with the character.

“He started to become a bit nerdy and I didn’t like that,” he continued, before adding what made him change his mind about quitting.

“But then they brought in the Ken, Deirdre and Mike Baldwin storyline and that revitalised everything.”

I have no intention of retiring

William Roache

However, despite the exit fears some decades ago, the iconic soap star has no intention of calling time on his role.

“I have no intention of retiring,” he said, so it seems viewers will be watching more of Ken in the coming future and especially in the lead up to the show’s 60th anniversary.

There had been fears the stalwart was going to be killed off just before Christmas, shortly after his son Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) had lost his wife Sinead Tinker (Katie McGlynn) to terminal cancer.

On the day of the beloved resident’s funeral, the pensioner was seen struggling to catch his breathe as he had a nasty cough.

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Taking to Twitter at the time, viewers believed this could’ve been the beginning of the end for the Weatherfield legend.

One posted on the micro-blogging site: “What’s up with Ken? He’s been coughing loads recently.

#Corrie.”

Another added: “What are the chances poor aul Ken will succumb to a coughing fit by 7.55 pm tonight? Hum. I’d bet a fiver on it. @itvcorrie #Corrie.”

Whilst a third wrote: “an ken stop coughing please i’m worried for his health #corrie.”

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Speaking on ITV chat show Lorraine following the outcry, actor William explained exactly what happened as he shut down reports he was leaving.

“What happened was Ken was out looking for Daniel on the hills and Peter had to say, ‘Your father’s been out looking for him and he’s just really tired’.

“It was just to show I’d caught a bit of a cold and just before one scene, the director sent a note down.

“That’s it. There’s no follow up sorry,” he concluded.

Coronation Street continues Monday at 7:30pm on ITV.

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