Ken Barlow has been at the center of fan chatter ever since Coronation Street dropped those intense new promo shots. With burning cars and a huge crossover on the way, viewers started worrying about who might get caught up in the drama and Ken’s name kept coming up. But while the storyline builds tension on-screen, something important has happened behind the scenes that changes the picture completely.
Fans Worry After Fiery Crash Teasers
Things started heating up when ITV released photos of two cars in flames for the upcoming Coronation Street and Emmerdale special. The dramatic images instantly set off alarm bells, and many fans wondered if a long-running character might be in real danger. A source shared that fans of both soaps knew the shows weren’t afraid to write out big characters if the story demanded it.
The insider said that once people saw the burning wreckage in the promo shots, it made sense that they would jump to the worst-case scenario. With Ken’s 66-year history on the cobbles, the idea of him being part of the crash worried many viewers.
The speculation spread quickly, with some thinking this could be the end of Ken’s time in Weatherfield. After so many years on the show, a dramatic exit seemed possible, at least until the real news came through.
Bill Roache Signs a New Deal Besides Coronation Street
Behind the scenes, the situation turned out to be much brighter. Bill Roache has signed a new six-figure deal to stay on Coronation Street for another year. At 93, he continues to hold the world record as the longest-serving TV actor in a continuous role.
And, this new contract keeps that record going strong. The insider said fans could relax now, knowing Ken will remain on-screen for at least another 12 months. The new deal means the legendary character won’t be going anywhere after the big crossover storyline.
Roache has spoken before about wanting to keep acting for as long as he can. On Love Your Weekend last year, he said he still felt strong and hoped to reach 100 while staying on the show. He explained that enjoying life plays a huge part in how he keeps going. And, he also mentioned that people often expect you to slow down at 60. He noted that he was even planning a parachute jump at the time, saying people should keep doing what makes them happy. Roache also shared that he often gets asked when he’ll retire. But he has no plans to leave while he can still do the job and the show wants him.
He said he felt lucky to work for an organisation that continues to support him and added that his approach has always been simple: if you enjoy something, keep doing it. With this new deal in place, fans can look forward to seeing much more of Ken in Weatherfield. After weeks of dramatic crash teasers, it’s a relief to know the iconic character will stay. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest Coronation Street news.