Bill Roache: Actor To Respond To Rape Charges

Coronation street star Bill Roache is expected to give a statement later after being accused of raping a teenager in 1967.

The 81-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since its launch in 1960, was arrested at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on Wednesday.

Some 12 hours later, he was charged with two counts of rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Lancashire Police said it followed a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to William Roache following allegations of rape.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967."

Police officers stand guard outside Roache's secluded Cheshire home

ITV said in a statement that Roache - the world's longest-serving soap actor - will not be appearing in Coronation Street until legal proceedings have finished.

After his Coronation Street co-star Michael Le Vell was charged with 19 child sex offences, Roache called for anonymity for those accused of such crimes because of the stigma they face even if innocent.

Speaking to Sky News in March, he said: "If there is to be anonymity for the accusers at this stage, then there should most certainly be anonymity for those accused, until such time as there is strong evidence to show that there was some truth to the allegations at least."

Le Vell, who will not appear as mechanic Kevin Webster while he awaits his trial, has stated publicly that he is innocent and will fight the allegations.

Roache will appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on May 14.

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