Coronation Street star Bill Roache has been arrested because of a historical allegation of sexual assault.
The 81-year-old actor, who plays Ken Barlow in the popular soap, was held by the authorities at his home this morning according to Sky News sources.
Bill Roache is one of the longest-serving soap stars.
The allegation apparently concerns the rape of an under-age girl back in 1967.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police told reporters: “An 81-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday May 1 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape.”
They added: “The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.”
ITV has not yet commented on the news.
Roache with his second wife Sara before her death in 2009.
