William Roache

William Patrick Roache MBE is an English actor. He is best known for playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap opera Coronation Street since it was first broadcast on 9 December 1960. Roache is listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving male television star in a continuous role.

About William Roache in brief

Summary William RoacheWilliam Patrick Roache MBE is an English actor. He is best known for playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap opera Coronation Street since it was first broadcast on 9 December 1960. Roache is listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving male television star in a continuous role. He joined the British Army and was commissioned into the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1953. After leaving the military, Roache turned to acting. He appeared in various stage productions, then had uncredited roles in several films, and later small parts in television serials including Knight Errant Limited and Skyport. His first autobiography, Ken and Me, was published in 1993, covering his life on and off screen. His 2008 autobiography was entitled Soul on the Street. In 2018, the book Life and Soul: How to Live a Long and Healthy Life was released, in which Roache shares his personal philosophy and experiences.

He lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire. His eldest son, Linus Roache, is an actor. His second wife, Sara McEwan Mott, died suddenly on February 7, 1978. He has a daughter, Vanya Roache Cropper, and a daughter named Vanya Vanya Cropper. He also has a son, Thomas Roache Ropper, who lives in Derbyshire. He was the winner of The Golden Shot, progressing through to Bullseye where he was beaten by television presenter Vernon Kay. He later entered All Star Family Fortunes, hosted by Kay, but lost by two points to his competitors. On 26 September 2012 Roache was featured on the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are?, researching his family history. He is currently Coronations Street’s longest serving actor, having been the show from day one.