Coronation Street bosses have confirmed that Ken Barlow will never be killed off, with ITV effectively offering actor William Roache a job for life as long as he wishes to remain on the show.

The 93-year-old television legend has portrayed Ken since the very first episode of the long-running soap in 1960, making him the longest-serving character played by the same actor in television history. His achievement is officially recognised by Guinness World Records, cementing his place as one of the most enduring figures in global TV.

In a new interview, Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod made it clear that viewers should not expect a dramatic exit for Ken, insisting the character will never be written out against Roache’s wishes. While many long-standing characters have been killed off or quietly written out over the years, MacLeod said that Ken is in a unique position on the Street.

“I mean, it would be a brave producer team that took that decision,” he said, when asked about the possibility of axing the character. He added that Roache can “absolutely” stay on the show for as long as he wants, removing any fear of an unwanted departure.

Ken Barlow has been at the heart of Coronation Street for more than six decades, evolving alongside the programme itself. Over the years, the character has been married four times, most famously to Deirdre Hunt, one of the soap’s most beloved characters. Their turbulent relationship became one of the most iconic romances in British soap history, particularly during the storyline that saw Deirdre wrongly imprisoned in the 1990s.

Beyond his marriages, Ken’s storyline history reads like a soap opera greatest hits reel. He has been involved in numerous affairs, clashed with generations of residents on the cobbles, and was even accused of murder — a plot that once again underlined how central he remains to the show’s dramatic engine.

MacLeod was full of praise for Roache’s continued professionalism, particularly given his age and extraordinary tenure on the series.

“Whatever you give him, even now, he’s on point,” he said. “He’s on his dialogue, he’s the most professional member of the cast.”

Speaking about Roache’s record-breaking career, MacLeod added: “I don’t know how many more records there are to break in that field, but I hope he breaks them all.”

For viewers, the reassurance that Ken Barlow will never be written out offers a rare sense of continuity in a show that has seen countless cast changes since its launch. As one of the last remaining links to the very first episode, Ken represents not just a character, but the living history of Coronation Street itself — a presence that, by all accounts, will remain on the cobbles for as long as William Roache chooses.

 

A landmark crossover between two of the UK’s biggest soaps is on the way, as Coronation Street and Emmerdale prepare to unite for a one-off, hour-long episode titled “Corriedale.” The special will air on Virgin Media early in the new year, marking the first time the iconic dramas will officially share the screen.

Promoters are promising explosive drama, nail-biting twists, and unforgettable character interactions, as the worlds of Weatherfield and the Dales merge for a night of high-stakes entertainment.

Filming is already underway, with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) confirmed as the first characters to appear across both settings. But in a unique twist, viewers will have the chance to shape part of the episode themselves.

A joint Instagram video from both soaps revealed plans for an interactive fan vote, allowing audiences to choose which Coronation Street character should appear in the Woolpack and which Emmerdale resident should travel to the cobbles. The clip featured several well-known cast members, including Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle), Vinta Morgan (Ronnie Bailey), Jane Hazlegrove (Bernie Winter) and Michael Parr (Ross Barton).

 

The crossover will coincide with the launch of a new nightly “power hour of soap,” featuring two back-to-back 30-minute episodes. Although Corriedale will be a self-contained special, the consequences will echo across both communities, with lasting repercussions, major departures, and new characters arriving as a result.

Producers say the event will showcase a bold and ambitious stunt designed to celebrate the shared legacy of the two dramas. “The combined production teams have conceived an ingenious way of linking the two universes,” they said, noting that characters will return to their respective homes in Manchester and Yorkshire after the episode.

Fans can expect details of the interactive character-pairing vote to be released next month across both soaps’ social platforms.

Research indicates that shorter, 30-minute episodes have been attracting higher audiences, with producers saying the new format offers more digestible instalments that better match evolving viewer habits.

Together, Coronation Street and Emmerdale reach over 8 million viewers weekly, making Corriedale one of the most anticipated soap events in recent years.