Working on Coronation Street since 1960, the 85-year-old Ken Barlow actor recently discussed leaving the soap, and the thought of retirement.
Speaking to this week’s Radio Times, William said: “No! I never think about [retiring]. I enjoy what I’m doing and I’m lucky in that I’m in a job where I can age.
“I’m actually falling to bits in front of people’s eyes, and that’s what I’m meant to do!
“If I were playing James Bond, I’d grow out of the age where I could play the role. But Ken Barlow is me — he’s getting older and I’m getting older with him.”
ITV
Entering the show 57 years ago, William has seen Ken through three marriages, Valerie Matlock (played by Anne Reid), Janet Reid (Judith Barker), and Deirdre Langton (Anne Kirkbride).
However the numerous marriages weren’t the most stressful pieces of Ken’s life, as his children forced him to endure some severe hardships.
Viewers saw Ken’s son Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) spiralling into alcoholism, and eventually endangering the life of his son when he accidentally burned down his flat after passing out with a cigarette in his hand.
Ken’s daughter, however, behaved even worse, as Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) was sentenced to 15 years in prison for murdering her boyfriend Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward).
ITV
Coronation Street: William Roache spoke to Radio Times [Radio Times]
“They’re like a little Mafia family,” William commented on his on-screen family. “And I try to keep them all together.”
William also spoke about leaving the soap: “I got to a point in my 40s where I said to myself, “If I’m ever going to have a change, it should be now.”
“But then I thought, “A change to do what?” I’d seen many colleagues come and go — one or two, like Arthur Lowe, did really well.”
Arthur Lowe, who played Leonard Swindley in the soap, left the show in 1965, and went on to play the legendary Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army.
ITV
ITV
“Generally,” William continued. “Few who’d left did as well as when they’d been on the Street. And I realised that I had a great job that gave me satisfaction. I was proud of the show when it started and I still feel that way.
“I feel fortunate to have been in it for so long,” he concluded.
Late last year, viewers saw Ken being pushed down the stairs by his son Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), in an anger-induced attack.
The full interview can be seen in the latest issue of Radio Times, which is out now.
Coronation Street continues tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.
