Love at last

Is the time now right for Ken Barlow and Audrey Roberts to start a relationship? The actors who play the long-standing Coronation Street characters give their views on the possible partnership.

For more than 30 years, Ken Barlow and Audrey Roberts have been friends on Coronation Street. But now it looks as though their relationship may be about to move up a level as their feelings for each other continue to develop. William Roache, 85, who plays the long-time Coro Street resident, admits he loves the idea of Ken and Audrey getting together as a couple. “When I first heard the producers say this is what they’re going to do, I thought it was a great idea,” Ken enthuses. “It’s amazing after all these years of just being friends. “But it’s going to be stretched out. It will be on and off. They’re not just going to get together, bang get married because there’s no story there. There’ll definitely be problems.”

Sue Nicholls, though, was more circumspect about the prospect, knowing that her character, Audrey, would be following soon after Deirdre in Ken’s life.

“There are some very big shoes to fill and they are very different people,” Sue says of Ken and Audrey.

“I was quite surprised when I was first told about what was going to happen – but nicely surprised.

“In fairness it depends what they are going to do and how it develops. It is nice that it is quite a slow burner and is coming from a mutual friendship ... Growing old with someone is all part of it. Most of all I think Ken and Audrey could have a lovely friendship.”

However, Sue, 73, is relishing the prospect of working more closely with William (Bill) Roache. Sue started on Coro Street in 1979 and joined the regular cast in 1985 while Bill has been with Coro since day one in 1960.

“I love Bill,” says Sue. “We haven’t ever really worked together before this to any degree.

“I have been in the Barlows’ maybe about half a dozen times in total before this storyline.

“It is a joy for me as an actor to work with different people. You get used to working with your on-screen

Ken (William Roache) ... and with his wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride)