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Coronation Street actor Bill Roache charged with rape

Veteran British actor Bill Roache has been charged with two counts of rape relating to allegations involving a teenage girl in 1967. The Coronation Street star, who has played Ken Barlow in the iconic U.K. soap opera since 1960, was arrested at his home in Cheshire, England on Wednesday morning (01May13) and he has since been slapped with two counts of sexual assault.

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service North West, reveals authorities had been reviewing the case against the 81 year old since 1 March (13) before deciding to press charges against him. He says, “Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr. Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967.”

Roache has been ordered to appear in Preston Magistrates’ Court on 14 May (13). The actor and bosses at Britain’s ITV network, which airs Coronation Street, have yet to comment on the arrest or the charges. Roache’s future on the show is not yet known, although reports suggest he will not appear on the programme while investigations continue.

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