Bill Roache, the actor who plays Ken Barlow on Coronation Street, has been arrested on suspicion of an historic allegation of a sexual assault, sources said today.
Roache faces an allegation of raping an underage girl in Lancashire between April and July in 1967, police said.
A Lancashire police spokesman said on Wednesday: "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.
Bill Roache has played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since 1960
"The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.
"We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."
Police at Roache's home on Wednesday
The 81-year-old is the longest serving cast member and only remaining member of the original show. He collected an award from Guinness World Records in 2010 for his achievement, having joined in 1960 for the series which was expected to last for just 13 episodes.
An ITV spokeswoman said the broadcaster was not in a position to comment, but it is understood Roache will not appear in the soap while investigations continue.
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Bill Roache
Television - ITV Series - Coronation Street - William Roache - London(01 of42)
Actor William Roache, better known as television character 'Ken Barlow' in 'Coronation Street', in London when he was one of several guests at a general reception given by the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, at Downing Street. (credit:PA)
Television - Awards - PYE Television Awards - London(02 of42)
Three stars of the long running TV series "Coronation Street" in London with their special award, received at the PYE Television Awards at the Hilton Hotel.They are (left to right) William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, Anne Kirkbride, who plays his wife Deidre and actor Johnny Briggs who caused much concern with viewers as Deidre's lover Mike Baldwin. The award was for the "massive impact" of the shows domestic love triangle. (credit:PA)
Entertainment - Bob Hope Golf Party(03 of42)
William Roache, right, who plays Ken Barlow, and Johnny Briggs, who plays Mike Baldwin, in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, at the Bob Hope Golf Party. (credit:PA)
Television - ITV Series - Coronation Street 30th Birthday - Manchester(04 of42)
Coronation Street star William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, celebrates the approach of the television serial's 30th birthday outside the show's new production studio in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Roache slammed over abuse comments(05 of42)
File photo dated 27/5/12 of Bill Roache who has been criticised after saying victims of paedophiles bring abuse upon themselves because of what they have done in previous lives. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(06 of42)
The court case of Tyrone Dobbs, Ken and Deirdre Barlow (played by Bill Roache and Anne Kirkbride). (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(07 of42)
The court case of Tyrone Dobbs, Ken and Deirdre Barlow (played by Bill Roache and Anne Kirkbride). (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(08 of42)
The court case of Tyrone Dobbs (played by Alan Halsall), Ken and Deirdre Barlow (played by Bill Roache and Anne Kirkbride) with Eileen Grimshaw (played by Sue Cleaver). (credit:PA)
Sun Military Awards 2012 - London(09 of42)
Bill Roache arrives to attend 'A Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards' at the Imperial War Museum in London. (credit:PA)
Royalty - Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee(10 of42)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, meets actor Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, during her visit to Preston, Lancashire.The Queen is on the last leg of her Jubilee celebration tour after having watched the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, yesterday. (credit:PA)
Arqiva British Academy Television Awards - Arrivals - London(11 of42)
Bill Roache arriving for the 2012 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall, London (credit:PA)
BAFTA Coronation St & Award(12 of42)
Some of the cast of Granada TV's long running soap "Coronation Street" celebrate their BAFTA award presented at The Royal Albert Hall in London. (l/r) Bill Roache; Barbara Knox; Beverley Callard; Simon Gregson; Michael Levell (fgrnd) and Tina Hobley. (credit:PA)
Cor.St Barlow/Police horses(13 of42)
Police horses trot down Granada TV's Coronation Street set, where they met up with actor Bill Roache, (Ken Barlow), at the launch today (Wed) of a Lancashire Police campaign to highlight security in schools. Pic Dave Kendall. (credit:PA)
MEMORIAL/Roach(14 of42)
Coronation Street stars past and present turned out in force to bid a final farewell to Bryan Mosley, who for 37 years played grocer Alf Roberts in the TV soap. Bill Roache (Ken Barlow)was among a congregation of more than 300 inside Salford's Roman Catholic Cathedral. * for a special memorial service to celebrate the 67-year-old actor s life. (credit:PA)
Soap Awards/Roach & Briggs(15 of42)
From left: 'Coronation Street' stars Bill Roache (who plays Ken Barlow) with his wife Fara, and on screen rival Johnny Briggs (who plays Mike Baldwin), at the British Soap Awards in London. (credit:PA)
roach bill(16 of42)
Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow in Coronation St at a charity fashion show in Manchester. Full Length. (credit:PA)
Bill Roach - BAFTA TV Awards(17 of42)
Coronation Street actor Bill Roache arriving for the British Academy Television Awards at the London Palladium. (credit:PA)
The Coronation Street Wedding - Manchester(18 of42)
Bill Roache at the Coronation Street wedding of Liz McDonald and Vernon in Audenshaw, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(19 of42)
Anne Kirkbride and William Roache seen on the set of Coronation Street, Cheshire (credit:PA)
Central Station Paint Coronation Street-Part 1 - Manchester(20 of42)
The Richard Goodall Gallery In Manchester's Norther Quarter Had It's Opening Night Party Of For The Exhibition "Central Station Paint Coronation Street-Part 1". Coronation Street's William Roache. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(21 of42)
William Roache On the set of Coronation Street, Cheshire (credit:PA)
Ideal Home Show 2011(22 of42)
Coronation Street stars Kate Ford and William Roache pose outside a recreation of the Rovers Return Inn at the Ideal Homes Show at Earls Court. (credit:PA)
Philips British Academy Television Awards - Arrivals - London(23 of42)
William Roache arriving for the Philips British Academy Television Awards at the Grosvenor House, 90 Park Lane, London. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(24 of42)
Dennis Tanner (played by Philip Lowrie), Julie Carp (played by Katy Kavanagh) and Ken Barlow (William Roache) filming scenes for Coronation Street in Manchester (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(25 of42)
Dennis Tanner (played by Philip Lowrie), Julie Carp (played by Katy Kavanagh) and Ken Barlow (William Roache) filming scenes for Coronation Street in Manchester (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(26 of42)
Ken Barlow (William Roache) filming scenes for Coronation Street in Manchester (credit:PA)
Television - ITV - Coronation Street 21st Anniversary - Granada Studios(27 of42)
A giant 21st birthday key for Granada TV's cast of Coronation Street, celebrating the soap opera's 21st birthday in the interior set of the Rover's Return at Granada Studios, Manchester. Foreground, left to right, Pat Phoenix, Jack Howarth, Doris Speed and Bill Roache. (credit:PA)
roach bill(28 of42)
Coronation street actor Bill Roache and wife at a fashion show, held at the Midland hotel in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Entertainment - Arts and Sport Reception - Downing Street, London(29 of42)
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis, left, greeting actor William Roache , who plays Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, with his wife Sara Roache. They were among a number of people who attended a reception at Downing Street for people from the fields of entertainment, the arts and sport. (credit:PA)
Television - ITV Series - Coronation Street - Granada Studios(30 of42)
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher outside the Rovers Return with William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, on her visit to the Coronation Street set at Granada Studios, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Television - ITV Series - Jack Howarth Memorial Service - Actors' Church, Covent Garden(31 of42)
Coronation Street actors William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, left, and Johnny Briggs, who plays Mike Baldwin, right, with Betty Howarth, the widow of Jack Howarth at his memorial service. He played Albert Tatlock in the soap opera. (credit:PA)
Television - Granada TV - Coronation Street 25th Anniversary - Dorchester Hotel(32 of42)
Members of the cast of ITV's soap opera Coronation Street, crowded around a cake replica of the street at the celebration to mark its 25th anniversary at the Dorchester Hotel. Front row, left to right, Julie Goodyear, Eileen Derbyshire, Thelma Barlow, William Roache, Jean Alexander and Betty Driver. Back row, left to right, Liz Dawn, Nigel Pivaro, Anne Kirkbride, Bryan Mosley and Bill Tarmey. (credit:PA)
Philips British Academy Television Awards - London(33 of42)
William Roache arriving for the BAFTA television awards at the London Palladium. (credit:PA)
TV Choice Awards - Arrivals - London(34 of42)
William Roache arriving for the 2010 TV Choice awards at the Dorchester Hotel, London. (credit:PA)
The National Lottery Awards 2010(35 of42)
William Roache MBE and Sacha Parkinson attend the National Lottery Awards at the Roundhouse in central London. (credit:PA)
Sara Roache memorial(36 of42)
Coronation Street actress Sue Nicholls arrives with her husband Mark Eden for a memorial service for Sara Roache, the wife of Coronation Street actor Bill at St Bartholomew's Church, Wilmslow, Cheshire. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street work party - Manchester(37 of42)
William Roache arrives at a Coronation Street party to say goodbye to their old producer Kim Crowther, Manchester. (credit:PA)
National Television Awards 2010 - Show - London(38 of42)
William Roache (left) and Jack Shepherd during the National Television Awards 2010, at the 02 Arena, London. (credit:PA)
The Duchess of Cornwall visits Coronation Street - Manchester(39 of42)
Actor William Roache on the set of Coronation Street at Granada Studios in Manchester, with Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall. The Duchess's visit to the set was as part of the celebrations for the soaps 50th anniversary year. (credit:PA)
William Roache sighting - Manchester(40 of42)
Coronation Street actor William Roache leaves Granada Studios after his first day back at work since his wifes death. Manchester. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street filming - Manchester(41 of42)
The Coronation Street location shoot at Worsley Boat yard was a very stop start affair as actor William Roache seemed to be lacking in concentration. He filmed his scenes with actress Stephanie Beacham. (credit:PA)
Sara Roache memorial(42 of42)
Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride kisses on screen husband Bill Roache after a memorial service for his wife Sara, at St Bartholomew's Church, Wilmslow, Cheshire. (credit:PA)