Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has spoken about concerns that the ITV soap may run out of new episodes to show due to the production shutdown caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The actor, who has played Ken Barlow ever since the show's first episode in 1960, spoke to Good Morning Britain about his life in lockdown and addressed fan fears that the soap might be taken off air if previously-filmed episodes eventually run out.
"It was going out six times a week, they're now rationing it to three times a week," he said. "And I think we had about two months [left]. Considering how many new episodes the soap had left to show with the rationing, he said"I'm not quite sure but I think maybe about four months."
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When host Piers Morgan asked what might happen if the cast and crew cannot resume filming in the near future and new episodes run out, the actor suggested that the soap would not be fully taken off air.
"Well look, we've got 60 years to go on so I don't think we'll be going off air even when they run out," he said. "There's plenty they can be showing but I think we have got about four months in all, probably three more. I'm not sure."
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It remains to be seen whether Corrie might go down the same route as Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, which is airing three classic episodes each week alongside two new episodes. Digital Spy has reached out to ITV for comment about this.
Related: Coronation Street reveals when Daniel Osbourne will be back
Ken is currently involved in a rivalry with fellow resident Charles Lake at his new home Still Waters.
With chairman of the residents' association Charles handing out bogus fines and keeping the profits for himself, Ken has managed to get his hands on the official Still Waters rule book and is ready to expose Charles at the election for the next chairman.
But will his triumphant reveal be enough to remove Charles from his position and see Ken elected in his place?
Coronation Street currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.
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