Coronation Street actor William Roache in rape arrest

From BBC News  Coronation Street actor William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, has been arrested on suspicion of the rape of an under-age girl in the 1960s, the Press Association is reporting.

An 81-year-old man, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, is being questioned at a Lancashire Police station, the force confirmed.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in Haslingden between April and July 1967, officers said.

Mr Roache, who has played Ken Barlow in the soap since 1960, has not commented.

A Coronation Street spokesman said: "Given that a police investigation is under way it would not be appropriate to comment."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."

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Corrie A-Z: C is for Cigarette Holders

Over the years, many Corrie characters have been known to smoke. I believe that a cigarette in their hand explains a lot about their character and gives them a rough edge. Since the smoking in public places ban in 2007, characters have not been seen smoking in the Rovers so you have to keep watch of who smokes these days as they’re not regularly seen sporting a cigarette in their hand.

 

Known smokers include Deirdre Barlow, Liz McDonald, Elsie Tanner, Bet Lynch, Hilda Ogden, Becky Granger, Steve McDonald, Lloyd Mullaney, Stan Ogden, Vera Duckworth, Ray Langton, Alan Howard, Jack Duckworth, Janice Battersby, Eddie Windass, Martha Longhurst, Suzie Birchall, Alec Gilroy and Peter Barlow.
 

Ken Barlow used to smoke in the 1960s (I don’t think Deirdre knows that!) and in her first appearance street duchess Audrey Roberts had a cigarette in her hand! And our Rita, in her early days, was sometimes sporting a cigarette in her hand as the photo shows.
 

Other characters are known to opt for smoking cigars. The ones that come to mind are Mike Baldwin, Fred Elliott, Billy Walker and Dev Alahan. And during Betty’s wake, there was a brilliant scene of the Corrie menfolk smoking cigars in the Rovers backyard.
 

 

Phyllis Pearce is best remembered for her gravel-voice but was never seen smoking.
 

While Annie Walker was a non-smoker, Doris Speed who played her was. It has been said that Speed died with a cigarette in her hand!   
 

Remember any other characters who smoke/d? Know any actors that do/did?
 

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Samia Ghadie says boob job lifted her spirits

Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, has confirmed she's had a boob job. She's also moved in with her Dancing on Ice partner Sylvain Longchambon.

Samia's interviewed in this week's OK Magazine and says this about Sylvain: "We’re pretty much living together now. We spend so much time with each other anyway," while her hunky beau (OK's words, not mine) added: "It seemed like the natural thing to do. I don’t have a big place in England either."

Samia also took the chance to set the record straight about those recent boob job rumours, telling OK: "Yes, I have had a boob job, but it wasn’t something that was done on a whim. After Freya was born, my boobs just disappeared. Anybody who knows me will know that it’s something I talked about having done. I wanted to feel womanly again."

 

After leaving her husband, Samia was going out with Corrie co-star Will Thorp, who played Chris Gray.

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Sneak preview of tonight's Corrie - Wednesday 1 May

Coronation Street, Wednesday May 1st 2013

LEANNE SEES KARL’S DARK SIDE. Karl puts pressure on Stella to marry him as soon as possible. Stella’s unnerved by his manner and refuses to commit. In front of Karl, Leanne warns Stella that marrying him would be a terrible mistake. Furious, Karl later threatens Leanne in the street, telling her to stop poisoning Stella against him or she’ll regret it. Meanwhile Owen leans on Stella for his next pay cheque.
EILEEN QUIETLY FRETS AS PAUL GETS HIS OLD JOB BACK. Reunited, Eileen and Paul start planning their wedding. But when Paul tells Eileen that he’s got his old job back, will Eileen remain content?
PETER GOES SOFTLY-SOFTLY WITH ROB. As Rob gloats over the fact takings are up considerably at the bookies, Peter refuses to rise to the bait. However when Peter draws up a rota and tells Rob he’s working the evening shift, scuppering his date with Tracy, Rob’s narked.
Elsewhere David and Kylie return from their scan and announce that they’re expecting a baby girl. Gail’s thrilled whilst Nick looks awkwardly at Kylie.

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