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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Brogan-Leigh Hurst

Corrie's Bill Roache reveals he 'really fancies' the Queen after meeting her 8 times

Coronation Street legend Bill Roache has revealed he has a crush on Queen Elizabeth II.

The actor - famous for playing Ken Barlow in the soap - says he fancied her from the first time they met.

Bill - who is set to turn 90 next week - said in a TV documentary that he has always held a special affection for the Her Majesty, now 95.

"I've met the Queen eight times," he said.

Bill continued: "I first met her when I was 21 and I was in the Army and we had the day with her which was very nice.

"I really fancied her! I don’t know if that’s heresy but she was very attractive."

Bill Roache has fancied the Queen since he met her in his younger days (Sunday Mirror)

William discusses the moment in a new ITV documentary celebrating his birthday, Happy Birthday Bill.

The actor is celebrating his 90th this month - but he has 'no intention of retiring'.

The soap actor, who will celebrate his birthday on April 25, has been part of the long-running soap since the series first aired in 1960.

The actor said: "People will say when are you retiring? Are you going to take a break? But then what happens?

He has been on Corrie for years and years (Getty Images)

"Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me."

The documentary will also shed light on his life before Coronation Street.

The show celebrated its 60th-anniversary two years ago amid the coronavirus pandemic with his character playing a major role in the storylines.

Over the years, Ken has been noted to have a chaotic love life, including through his marriages to Valerie Tatlock, Janet Reid and, most notably, to Deidre Langton.

He even reunited with Valerie (played by Anne Reid) fifty years after she left the show.

He turns 90 next week (REX)

Asked what was the highlight of the new documentary, Bill says: “Without a doubt meeting up with Anne Reid again after all those years.

"She played my wife in Coronation Street for eight years and I was very sad when she chose to leave.

"When Valerie died she was due to meet Ken at the Rovers so when she walked through the doors finally 52 years later it was a lovely moment, we both just started laughing.

"It was beautiful to see her again, to me she looks no different.”

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