Coronation Street star Bill Roache will “vigorously protest his innocence” of new child sex charges, his lawyer said on Friday.
The 81-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow since the first episode of “Corrie” in 1960, is accused of indecently assaulting four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16 on five occasions in the 1960s.
The allegations were made after Roache was last month charged with two counts of rape against a 15-year-old girl dating back to 1967. He has said he “strenuously” denies those accusations.
As Roache arrived at Preston Magistrates’ Court to face the fresh charges Friday, his lawyer Brian Russell said: “We expect that later this year, or possibly early next year, a jury will be asked to consider whether Mr Roache is guilty or not guilty of those charges.
“Mr Roache looks forward to standing before that jury where he will vigorously protest his innocence against what he regards as deeply upsetting allegations made against him.”
Roache was bailed to appear at court on Monday, where he will face the rape charge.
His previous bail conditions remain in place, including a ban on direct unsupervised contact with anyone under 16.
The world’s longest-serving soap actor, Roache will not be appearing in Coronation Street until the legal proceedings end.
Russell said he had “fully co-operated” with police during two long interviews on the latest claims.
Corrie star 'to protest innocence' on new child sex charges
