How old is Ken Barlow actor William ‘Bill’ Roache, what’s the death hoax, who are his daughters and sons and when did he join Coronation Street?
The soap legend is in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving male television star for his role in Coronation Street
BILL Roache has become one of the most recognisable faces on British television after six decades on Coronation Street.
Here's all you need to know about the acting veteran who has just become a victim of a fake news death hoax...
How old is Bill Roache and what is his background?
Born in Nottinghamshire in April 1932, Bill Roache is a 85-year-old TV actor.
He joined the British Army in 1953 and left in 1956 after reaching the rank of captain. An exploding mortar round left Bill with tinnitus.
Before joining Coronation Street, Bill landed the lead role in a televised play called Marking Time, although it wasn't broadcast until a year after his Coronation Street debut in 1960.
Bill's had two children with his first wife Anna Cropper. Eldest son Linus Roache is also an actor. Bill and Anna also had daughter Vanya, born 1967.
Sadly, Vanya passed away at the age of 50 on March 4 2018, due to liver failure and he was granted compassionate leave from the soap.
He returned to the soap's set on March 13 2018 and was warmly embraced by co-stars as he returned to the cobbles.
Bill remarried Sarah Mottram in 1978 and together they had three more children, Verity, James and Edwina.
Tragically, Edwina died aged just 18-months-old due to bronchial pneumonia.
Bill's wife Sarah Mottram also died suddenly in 2009 at the age of 58.
Who is Ken Barlow in Coronation Street?
Bill is best known for holding down the role of Ken Barlow in Coronation Street since 1960, landing him in the Guinness World Records book as the longest-serving male television star in a continuous role.
Ken Barlow has a reputation on the iconic street as being a womaniser after racking up four marriages and dating 27 women between 1960 and 2007.
His scenes with Deidre Hunt stole the show with their first and second weddings both getting more viewers than the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
2017 saw Ken involved in a mystery storyline when he was attacked by an unknown assailant who pushed him down the stairs.
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What's the death hoax?
On April 18, 2018, Bill, unfortunately, fell foul of a fake news website's article claiming he had died.
It wrongly published: “Son Linus Roache said in a statement that Bill died of heart failure on the night of Wednesday.”
However acting legend Bill, who plays Ken Barlow in the hit ITV soap, is alive and well.
A representative told The Sun Online they would not be commenting on the “fake news”.
Why was Bill Roache arrested?
Bill Roache was arrested in May 2013 on suspicion of having sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in 1967.
He denied the claims and pleaded not guilty to all charges. In February 2014, he was acquitted of all charges.
During the ongoing trial, an image of Bill was removed from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool because of fears it would be vandalised.
It was subsequently returned when Bill made his Coronation Street comeback in June 2014.
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