Coronation Street legend Bill Roache celebrates his 88th birthday in lockdown with his family – The Sun

CORONATION Street legend Bill Roache celebrated his 88th birthday in lockdown today with his family.

The soap paid tribute to the actor with photos showing Bill, who has played Ken Barlow since 1960, surrounded by balloons and presents in his huge conservatory at home.

The telly favourite beamed as his son James and daughter Verity showered him with confetti and Bill proudly pointed to his hoard of gifts as they posed for photos.

Dressed in a T-shirt and smart shorts for the warm weather, the actor looked happy and in fantastic health with his loved ones around him, treating him to a special afternoon on Saturday.

Corrie's Twitter and Instagram accounts captioned the moments: "Sending a massive thank you for all your warm wishes from Bill, who's celebrating his 88th birthday in lockdown at home with his family!"

His Corrie co-stars and fans rushed to share their happy returns, with Samie Longchambon (Maria Connor) writing: "Happy birthday lovely Bill!"

And a fan said: "How can he possibly be 88? 78 maybe. He’s amazing"

One more wrote: "Happy Birthday to Bill and hello to his fit son!"

Bill recently left Corrie viewers in tears when retired teacher Ken left the cobbles to move into a luxury retirement flat.

Actor Bill admitted it was very emotional filming his goodbye scenes.

"Filming that final scene of the episode was very poignant, just Ken and Eccles and the cobbles," he said.

"We have already started filming at the retirement complex and I am really enjoying it, it always feels different when we film away from the street."

But Ken has now decided he could no longer stand living the lush life this week and broke the news to Claudia that the complex would never feel like his home.

Ken looks set to return to Weatherfield after packing up his belongings and departing from the lush retirement home. 

But Corrie are yet to confirm whether Ken will actually be returning to the cobbles, and fans will have to tune in to find out.

The soap legend is in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving male television star for his role in Coronation Street.

Ken has a reputation on the iconic street as being a womaniser after racking up four marriages and dating 27 women between 1960 and 2007.

His scenes with Deidre Hunt stole the show with their first and second weddings both getting more viewers than the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

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