Coronation Street icon Bill Roache has opened up about a surprising piece of off-screen drama, revealing a bitter two-year feud he had with one of the soap’s original legends, Pat Phoenix. The actor, who holds the world record for playing the longest-serving male character in a television soap opera, Ken Barlow, shared the details of the falling out during a recent public appearance.

The revelation is particularly timely as it follows alarmist reports about the star’s health. Roache, who is 93 years old, used the opportunity to reassure fans of his longevity, confirming his intent to remain on the show for many more years, stating he hopes to continue acting until he turns 100.

The Argument Over Elsie Tanner’s Scene

The dramatic dispute, which began shortly after Coronation Street first aired in 1960, centered on a disagreement over how a key scene should play out between their two iconic characters. The scene involved Roache’s character, Ken, and Phoenix’s formidable character, Elsie Tanner.

Roache explained that the script required Ken to “tell off” Elsie for saying something “unkind” to his on-screen wife, Valerie Tatlock. However, Phoenix, a powerhouse on the set, refused to allow her character to be admonished by the younger Ken Barlow.

She told the director, “I don’t think she’d take this from this young man,” arguing the action was fundamentally wrong for Elsie Tanner’s character. When the director ultimately conceded to Phoenix, she went a step further, demanding an extreme action to assert her character’s dominance.

The “Unprofessional” Ashtray Incident

Phoenix demanded a shocking change to the scene: “Pat asked me to pause and she’d throw an ashtray at me.”

Roache immediately refused to comply, arguing that the request was “unprofessional.” This on-set disagreement was so intense that the two stars ceased speaking to each other entirely, leading to a tense, two-year period where they were forced to film scenes together “still not talking.”

A Birthday Brings Reconciliation

The long-standing cold war finally ended through an unexpected, heartwarming moment initiated by Phoenix. After two years of silence, as the actors stood waiting to film, Phoenix broke the ice by mentioning her upcoming birthday.

“Oh, I suppose you’d better come to my party then,” she told Roache. The invitation was enough to break the long-simmering tension, and Roache recalled, “we became good friends after that.”

Roache’s story offers a unique glimpse into the strong personalities and classic conflicts that shaped the early years of the world’s longest-running soap. Despite the dramatic off-screen feud, Roache is dedicated to his role. He was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Entertainment Agents Awards, where he looked to the future, stating, “I’m looking forward to being in the program for many more years to come, hopefully until I am 100.” His longevity is a testament to his dedication, cementing his status as a true legend of British television.