The day i met Ken Barlow

Some time ago, about 13 years i went on a works trip to Granada Studios at Manchester, the home of Coronation Street, arguably the UK's best loved soap opera.

We went on a backstage tour and the guide began showing us round, almost as soon as the tour had begun another guide entered our room and said we had move on quickly as we had special guest to come and meet us. We moved on to another room in anticipation, who would it be, surely a Corrie star?

The next room was a mock up of a newsroom complete with newsdesk etc, when we were all inside the moment of truth was upon us. Out from behind a screen popped William Roache aka Ken Barlow, the only Corrie star to still be in the show since its inception in the 1960's. Ken gave a quick wave and stood there resplendent in a smart shiny suit, he explained he was on his lunch hour and could only spare a few moments with us before going back to filming. Ken went on to say he was in the middle of filming Deidres court scenes and could answer a couple of questions before leaving, very nice of you Ken i thought, then my hand shot up above the crowd. Ken looked at me and the conversation went like this:

Me - "Ken, er can i call you Ken. You're are the only person to be ever present in the show since the start."

Ken nodded

Me - "You've had lots of wives, girlfriends, affairs and flings over the years."

Ken nodded again

Me - "Do you get much in real life?"

Ken seemed slightly embarrassed and looked at me in such a way that he knew i was being a bit cheeky, wagged his finger at me and said. "Well i used to be a bit of a lad in the '60's but i'm settled down now." He gave me a knowing albeit sheepish glance and said "Very good question."

I had foxed him, he was never expecting that and for a moment i felt that he recognised he had met his match but appreciated my cheekiness all the same.

Ken then said anyone else, one more question. My mate Andy said "Whats in store for you and Deidre." Ken looked relieved and said "You'll have to keep watching, i cant reveal too much."

Andy, what a waste of a question he must get asked this about a million times a day, i had Ken on the ropes and you rang the bell for the end of the round. Ken then left and we had a great day.