Roache 'almost axed after three years'

William Roache has revealed that he was almost axed from Coronation Street after three years on the soap.

Speaking to the News of the World about his autobiography, Roache said that producer Tim Aspinall, known as the 'Mad Axeman' among cast members, had drawn up a list of top names to cut from the drama when he started working on the show in 1964.

Roache said: "He had a kind of hit list of characters. He decided who he wanted out, while others including myself were put on warning that we were likely to be given the chop at a later date. It was appalling."

However, Roache was given a reprieve when Aspinall was replaced after five months.

The 78-year-old, who recently entered the Guinness World Record book as the longest-serving soap actor, also said that he initially did not want to audition for the role of Ken Barlow.

"I wasn't interested," he said. "I had my flat in London, I was getting acting parts and it all looked very rosy."

When Roache initially started on the show, he was told it would last for 13 episodes over six weeks. He said: "Those six weeks have now stretched into 50 years, and the programme is still going strong. Nobody could have known way back then what an impact it would have."