Coronation Street's Bill Roache Charged with Underage Sex Assault of Four Girls

Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, has been charged with five indecent assault charges against four girls aged between 11 and 16.

Roache, 81, who is already on bail charged with raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967, has been charged with a further five indecent assault offences relating to the period from 1965-68.

Roache, who has played the part of Ken Barlow in the popular soap for its entire 53-year run, has been bailed to appear before Preston Magistrates' Court on Friday (7 June).

Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to recent allegations from four complainants that William Roache indecently assaulted them in the 1960s.

"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with five offences of indecent assault relating to four girls who were aged between 11 or 12 and 16 at the time that the alleged offences happened.

"We have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice to Lancashire Police regarding these allegations, which were made to police after Mr Roache was charged with two offences of rape on 1 May, 2013.

"Mr Roache has a right to a fair trial and it is therefore very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Roache has previously denied the rape allegations against him, adding that he was "deeply horrified" by the accusations.

Roache holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving television actor in a continuous role.

An ITV spokesperson said Roache will not be appearing in Coronation Street until legal proceedings conclude.

Roache was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards in 1999 and an MBE in 2001.