Roache: 'Blanche scenes were upsetting'

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has admitted that he found it difficult to film Blanche Hunt's forthcoming death storyline.

Later this year, the Barlow family will be told that Blanche - who is currently enjoying a holiday in Portugal with a friend - has passed away. Viewers will then see a screen funeral for the Weatherfield favourite.

While filming the emotional scenes, Roache - who plays the battleaxe's son-in-law Ken Barlow - and his co-stars were busy preparing for a public memorial service held to celebrate the life of Blanche actress Maggie Jones.

Speaking to PA, Roache commented: "What was quite bizarre was that on screen we were doing the death of Blanche and then we had to break off and do the memorial service for Maggie.

"It really got very complex. I have never had a confusion of reality and non-reality before and it was really upsetting for a lot of us.

"You didn't know what you were upset about either, you were losing the actor, a friend, a colleague and the character."

Jones passed away in December following a period of ill health. She was 75.