Coronation Street legend Bill Roache, 90, reveals he nearly QUIT the soap to pursue his dream of appearing in Westerns alongside Clint Eastwood
Coronation Street legend Bill Roache has revealed he nearly quit the soap to pursue his dream of appearing in Westerns alongside the likes of Clint Eastwood.
The actor, 90, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since it was first broadcast in December 1960, has admitted he first aspired to star in films when he launched his career as an actor.
He told the Sunday People: ‘When I started out I wanted to be in films, particularly I wanted to be in Westerns.
‘There was a time in the middle of my career, when I was in my 40s, I thought if ever I’m going to get out and do something else, now is the time.
‘But I only thought about it. I never actually did it. I realised I’m really proud of Coronation Street, lucky to be in it.’
Bill is the only original cast member left in Corrie, with the serial being the longest-running show of its kind in the world.
\
He admitted he may have struggled if the filming schedule hadn’t have changed as the show used to go out live on television.
Bill says he enjoys the way it works today, with the actor arriving on set to film his scenes for the variety of storylines he’s given by the scriptwriters.
He says he tries to stay as healthy as possible to ensure he can keep on top of his work schedule, and he’s a big fan of the power of positive thinking.
The star recently said he still wants to be acting in Coronation Street when he’s 100 – which is only a decade away.
He celebrated his 90th birthday last month, and spoke to the Mirror about how he stays young.
Bill said: ‘Someone said to me, ‘Look, Bill, you’re in the Guinness Book of Records, you’ve got the MBE, you’ve been in Coronation Street for over 60 years, what else is there?’
‘I said to him, ‘I would like to be the first centenarian who is still cast in an ongoing drama’. That’s my aim, to be 100 and still working on Coronation Street.’
Bill proved he’s still got it as he showed off his youthful appearance in photos to mark his 90th birthday last month.
The star was photographed by his son Will at the family home in Cheshire to celebrate the milestone.
One bespectacled, smiling shot saw him looking years younger than his age, in a white shirt and navy jumper and boasting a full head of hair.
He said: ‘Will studied photography when he was younger so he has a lot of technical knowledge.’
The snaps were taken for the re-release of an updated version of his book Life And Soul – his tips for a happy, healthy life.
Bill was married to actress Anna Cropper, the mother of his son Linus and late daughter Vanya, and admitted to being unfaithful.
In 1978 he married Sara McEwan Mottram with whom he had son Will and daughter Verity. A second daughter, Edwina, died at 18 months old.
Bill dated weather presenter Emma Jesson from 2010 to 2012.