Person Biography:
William Patrick "Bill" Roache MBE is an English actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street. Born on December 25, 1922, in Basford, Nottinghamshire, Roache has had a long and illustrious career in television, film, and theater.
Roache joined the British Army in 1953 and served for three years, achieving the rank of captain. After leaving the army, he turned to acting, appearing in various stage productions and small roles in television serials. His breakthrough role came when he joined Coronation Street in 1960, and he has been playing the character of Ken Barlow ever since.
Throughout his career, Roache has received numerous awards and accolades, including the British Soap Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 and an MBE in the 2001 New Year's Honours. He has also been recognized for his contributions to television, receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Chester in 2007.
Roache is a spiritualist and has written about his interest in astrology in his autobiography, Soul on the Street. He is also a vegetarian and has been involved in various charitable causes throughout his career.
In his personal life, Roache has been married twice and has five children. He is a patron of the Ilkeston-based production company Sustained Magic Ltd and has been involved in various business ventures over the years.
Despite his many accomplishments, Roache has also faced his share of challenges, including a two-year feud with fellow Coronation Street actress Pat Phoenix and a bankruptcy in 1999. However, he has continued to work and has remained a beloved figure in British television.
