Actor Bill Roache leaves Preston Magistrates Court last month after being charged with other sex offences (Reuters)
Actor Bill Roache leaves Preston Magistrates Court last month after being charged with other sex offences (Reuters)

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has said he will "vigorously protest his innocence" after appearing in court accused of indecently assaulting four girls.

Roache, 81, of Wilmslow in Cheshire, appeared at Preston Magistrates Court accused of five indecent assault charges against four girls aged between 11 and 16 from 1965-68.

Roache is already on bail charged with raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967 and has "strenuously" denied those accusations.

Roache, who has played the part of Ken Barlow in Coronation Street for its entire 53-year run, spoke in court only to confirm his details. His lawyer said he would be pleading not guilty when he appears at Preston Crown Court on 10 June.

Speaking outside the court, Roache's lawyer Brian Russell said his client would prove his innocence over the "deeply upsetting" charges.

Russell said: "Mr Roache was interviewed at length at the police station and charged with five offences of indecent assault.

"These allegations arose out of the publicity that was generated when Mr Roache was interviewed on May 1 for offences of rape. During two lengthy police interviews Mr Roache has fully cooperated with the police.

"We expect that later this year, or possibly early next year, a jury will be asked to consider whether Mr Roache is guilty or not guilty of those charges.

"Mr Roache looks forward to standing before that jury where he will vigorously protest his innocence against what he regards as deeply upsetting allegations made against him."

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

An ITV spokesperson said Roache would 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.