Bill Roache - the man who has been a fixture on the cobbles for longer than some people have been alive! As Ken Barlow, he's become an institution in British television, and now it's time to give him the tribute he deserves. A one-off ITV special is in production, titled 'Bill Roache: Life on the Street', and we can't wait to see what they've got in store for us.
This show is a fitting recognition of Bill's incredible six-decade tenure as Ken Barlow - the longest-serving TV star in a continuous role, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. And he's still going strong at 94! It's a testament to his dedication and talent that he's managed to stay on top for so long, navigating the ups and downs of Weatherfield with ease.
The programme is being produced by MultiStory, an ITV-owned company based in Manchester, with Bill himself involved in the making of the special. Insiders tell us it's going to be a celebration of his immense achievement and enduring presence in British popular culture - a true accolade for one of our nation's most beloved actors.
This standalone tribute programme is a rare occurrence, but it's well overdue. Bill has already received numerous honours, including an MBE in 2001, an OBE in 2022, and a British Soap Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 - but this special will cement his status as a true icon of British television.
So mark your calendars for the release date (we're not told when just yet, but it's likely to be either later this year or early 2027) and get ready to celebrate one of our nation's most enduring stars. Coronation Street is available to stream on ITVX, with new episodes airing regularly on ITV1 - but trust us, you won't want to miss this special tribute to Bill Roache.