Roache, 81, who has played Ken Barlow for five decades, will face court later this month accused of twice raping the 15-year-old in 1967.
He was taken into custody following a breakfast-time raid at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, yesterday.
Twice-married Roache, the world’s longest serving soap actor, is one of the best known stars to be held over child sex allegations in the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Bill Roache arriving home in Cheshire after it was announced that he has been charged with rape
Charged: Bill Roache was arrested by police in a swoop on his home yesterday morning
Fellow Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster, is also currently off air after being charged with 19 sexual offences against a child, including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity.
He denies the charges, which are not linked to Roache.
Roache arrived home late last night looking tired and stony faced.
The actor, wearing an open-necked shirt and jumper, was driven through the gates of his home in a dark coloured Ford Fiesta at about 9.45pm.
He made no comment but his driver later left the property saying Mr Roache would make a statement today.
Roache’s marriage to his first wife, Anna, ended in divorce in 1974. His second wife Sara died in 2009.
Earlier this year it was revealed he ended his two-year relationship with TV weathergirl Emma Jesson, 44, so he could explore a ‘mystic message of love’ linked to his membership of the Pure Love Movement, a religious group.
In a TV interview last year, Roache said he had slept with up to 1,000 women.
In the interview with Piers Morgan, he told of his regrets at regularly cheating on his first wife.
Last night, a statement issued by the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘The CPS has today authorised Lancashire Police to charge William Roache with two rapes allegedly committed against a 15-year-old girl in 1967.’
Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: ‘We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to William Roache following allegations of rape.
‘We have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice to Lancashire Police since March 1, 2013.
‘Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged.
‘Mr Roache will appear at Preston magistrates’ court on May 14. Mr Roache has a right to a fair trial and it is therefore very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.’
The announcement was made just after 8pm, some 12 hours after his arrest.
News of his arrest spread quickly after two police officers were seen at the gates to the driveway of his secluded £650,000 Wilmslow home.
Police
teams searched the property as Roache was taken to a police station to
be questioned over allegations that he raped a 15-year-old girl in
Haslingden, near Bury, between April and July 1967.
Roache would have suffered the indignity of being DNA tested and finger-printed, and of having to pose for a police mugshot.
Shortly before 4pm, officers could be
seen placing brown paper evidence bags inside an unmarked police car,
which left shortly afterwards.
It was followed by two more unmarked police cars, each with three plain clothes officers inside.
Near neighbour Gill Chibnall, 73, said: ‘I’m absolutely shocked, I just can’t believe it. I’m very sorry because he seems a nice chap, I can’t really believe he would do anything like that.
‘I haven’t seen him this week, I only know him as a neighbour. He stops to say hello or chat about the weather.
'He is part of the community, when anybody wants anything opening he’s always willing to help out.’
When told about Roache’s arrest, another local, who asked not to be named, said: ‘What’s he been up to? It’s all rubbish, he’s a lovely man.’
In March, Roache issued a public apology after claiming sex abuse victims brought it upon themselves and were being punished for sins in a past life.
He was interviewed for a New Zealand television news programme and discussing the Savile sex abuse scandal.
Asked to clarify whether that meant victims brought the abuse on themselves, he said: ‘No, not quite, and yet I am, because everything that happens to us has been a result of what we have been in previous lives or whatever.’
He also called for the same anonymity for those accused of child sex offences as alleged victims are given until conviction because of the stigma they faced even if subsequently found innocent.
‘These people are instantly stigmatised, some will be innocent, some will not, but until such time as it’s proven there should be anonymity for both,’ he said.
But his remarks were condemned by abuse charities – and Roache later issued a statement apologising, saying he was ‘sorry for any offence that has been caused as a result of my comments’.
The controversial comments came a week after a senior CPS prosecutor warned of a new wave of celebrity arrests in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Other
celebrities recently arrested – but not charged – over historic
allegations of indecently assaulting under-age girls include
entertainers Rolf Harris and Freddie Starr.
Both have denied any wrong-doing in interviews with police.
Comedian Jim Davidson and ex-Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis have also been arrested over alleged historic sex offences by officers on Operation Yewtree, the Scotland Yard probe launched in the aftermath of the Savile scandal.
The claims against them do not concern under-age girls.
Last week PR consultant Max Clifford was charged with 11 indecent assaults of girls and young women, including a 14-year-old.
The charges, which he denies, relate to offences allegedly committed between 1966 and 1985.
Last night none of Roache’s four children from his two marriages would comment. His publicist did not return calls.
A Coronation Street spokesman said: ‘Given that a police investigation is under way it would not be appropriate for us to comment.’
Lancashire Police said: ‘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.’
3 October 2012: ITV documentary revealing that Jimmy Savile, right, molested a number of young girls is broadcast.
9 October: Metropolitan Police launches Operation Yewtree to investigate historic sex allegations against Savile.
19 October: Investigation widened to include allegations involving public figures who are still living.
28 October: Singer Gary Glitter, 68, a convicted paedophile, arrested and bailed.
1 November: Comedian Freddie Starr, 70, arrested and bailed.
11 November: BBC producer Wilfred De'ath, 75, arrested; he was later told he would not face any charges after the complainant withdrew her allegations.
15 November: Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis, 67, arrested and bailed over allegations not linked to to Savile.
29 November: Entertainer Rolf Harris, 83, questioned by police; his name was not initially publicised.
6 December: Publicist Max Clifford, 70, arrested and bailed.
2 January 2013: Comedian and television presenter Jim Davidson, 59, arrested and bailed.
11 January: Report into Savile's crimes is released, revealing that he took advantage of up to 450 victims.
13 March: Travis re-arrested and bailed once again.
28 March: Harris re-arrested and bailed; he was identified in the media the next month.
26 April: Clifford charged with 11 counts of indecent assault against girls and young women.
1 May: Coronation Street star Bill Roache, 81, arrested and charged.
He first emerged on screen as a fresh-faced, idealistic student in his 20s.
His character - the world’s longest-serving soap star - has had an array of professions and relationships over his half century in Weatherfield.
In the show, Ken has been quite the lothario, with more than 25 women, including three wives, under his belt.
Off screen, his first wife was actress Anna Cropper, with whom he had a son, named Linus, who has also played his onscreen son Laurence.
The couple divorced in 1974 after 13 years of marriage, and Roache went on to wed his second wife Sara in 1978.
They had two children, Verity and James, as well as another daughter who died when she was just 18 months old.
James Roache, 27, has appeared in Coronation Street playing Ken Barlow's grandson James, Laurence's son, and also portrayed his own father in BBC drama The Road To Coronation Street.
Sara Roache died unexpectedly in February 2009 aged 58, after which her widower started dating local weathergirl Emma Jesson, although they are believed to have split up last year.
He is known for his strong interest in spirituality, and has spoken in support of astrology and other New Age practices.
The actor has taken part in Druid rituals, and apparently used to tell the fortunes of his Coronation Street co-stars using their astrological charts.
Roache has also told interviewers that he believes in reincarnation and predicted a slew of natural disasters at the end of 2012 owing to 'the vibrational level of the Earth'.
The actor, wearing an open-necked shirt and jumper, was driven through the gates of his home in a dark coloured Ford Fiesta at about 9.45pm.
He made no comment but his driver later left the property saying Mr Roache would make a statement today.
Roache’s marriage to his first wife, Anna, ended in divorce in 1974. His second wife Sara died in 2009.
Earlier this year it was revealed he ended his two-year relationship with TV weathergirl Emma Jesson, 44, so he could explore a ‘mystic message of love’ linked to his membership of the Pure Love Movement, a religious group.
Pin up: Bill Roache in a 1970 fashion shoot
In the interview with Piers Morgan, he told of his regrets at regularly cheating on his first wife.
Last night, a statement issued by the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘The CPS has today authorised Lancashire Police to charge William Roache with two rapes allegedly committed against a 15-year-old girl in 1967.’
Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: ‘We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to William Roache following allegations of rape.
‘We have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice to Lancashire Police since March 1, 2013.
‘Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged.
‘Mr Roache will appear at Preston magistrates’ court on May 14. Mr Roache has a right to a fair trial and it is therefore very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.’
The announcement was made just after 8pm, some 12 hours after his arrest.
News of his arrest spread quickly after two police officers were seen at the gates to the driveway of his secluded £650,000 Wilmslow home.
Star: Roache playing Ken Barlow on Coronation Street with his on-screen wife Deirdre, played by Anne Kirkbride
Roache would have suffered the indignity of being DNA tested and finger-printed, and of having to pose for a police mugshot.
ROACHE EDITED OUT OF SCENES
Producers
have been forced into a desperate re-editing of one of tomorrow’s
episodes of Coronation Street following Bill Roache’s arrest.
The actor had been due to appear in two scenes but these will be taken out. He was last in the soap on Monday.
Insiders suggested the scenes were not crucial to the storyline.
It is understood they were filmed not long before he left for New Zealand to appear in a play.
The actor had been due to appear in two scenes but these will be taken out. He was last in the soap on Monday.
Insiders suggested the scenes were not crucial to the storyline.
It is understood they were filmed not long before he left for New Zealand to appear in a play.
It was followed by two more unmarked police cars, each with three plain clothes officers inside.
Near neighbour Gill Chibnall, 73, said: ‘I’m absolutely shocked, I just can’t believe it. I’m very sorry because he seems a nice chap, I can’t really believe he would do anything like that.
‘I haven’t seen him this week, I only know him as a neighbour. He stops to say hello or chat about the weather.
'He is part of the community, when anybody wants anything opening he’s always willing to help out.’
When told about Roache’s arrest, another local, who asked not to be named, said: ‘What’s he been up to? It’s all rubbish, he’s a lovely man.’
In March, Roache issued a public apology after claiming sex abuse victims brought it upon themselves and were being punished for sins in a past life.
He was interviewed for a New Zealand television news programme and discussing the Savile sex abuse scandal.
Meeting: Roache, one of Britain's longest-serving TV actors, with the Queen in Preston in 2002
Roache said the public should not be judgmental but be ‘totally forgiving’ of people who had committed child sex crimes.Asked to clarify whether that meant victims brought the abuse on themselves, he said: ‘No, not quite, and yet I am, because everything that happens to us has been a result of what we have been in previous lives or whatever.’
He also called for the same anonymity for those accused of child sex offences as alleged victims are given until conviction because of the stigma they faced even if subsequently found innocent.
‘These people are instantly stigmatised, some will be innocent, some will not, but until such time as it’s proven there should be anonymity for both,’ he said.
But his remarks were condemned by abuse charities – and Roache later issued a statement apologising, saying he was ‘sorry for any offence that has been caused as a result of my comments’.
The controversial comments came a week after a senior CPS prosecutor warned of a new wave of celebrity arrests in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Investigation: Max Clifford, left, and Rolf
Harris, right, are among the well-known figures to have been arrested on
suspicion of historic sex offences; Clifford has now been charged with
11 counts of indecent assault
Both have denied any wrong-doing in interviews with police.
Comedian Jim Davidson and ex-Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis have also been arrested over alleged historic sex offences by officers on Operation Yewtree, the Scotland Yard probe launched in the aftermath of the Savile scandal.
The claims against them do not concern under-age girls.
Last week PR consultant Max Clifford was charged with 11 indecent assaults of girls and young women, including a 14-year-old.
The charges, which he denies, relate to offences allegedly committed between 1966 and 1985.
Last night none of Roache’s four children from his two marriages would comment. His publicist did not return calls.
A Coronation Street spokesman said: ‘Given that a police investigation is under way it would not be appropriate for us to comment.’
Lancashire Police said: ‘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.’
TIMELINE: THE POLICE PROBE WHICH HAS ENGULFED THE WORLD OF TV SHOWBIZ AFTER A STRING OF ARRESTS OVER SEX ABUSE CLAIMS
Crimes: The investigation into Jimmy Savile's sexual abuse has led to the arrest of other celebrities
9 October: Metropolitan Police launches Operation Yewtree to investigate historic sex allegations against Savile.
19 October: Investigation widened to include allegations involving public figures who are still living.
28 October: Singer Gary Glitter, 68, a convicted paedophile, arrested and bailed.
1 November: Comedian Freddie Starr, 70, arrested and bailed.
11 November: BBC producer Wilfred De'ath, 75, arrested; he was later told he would not face any charges after the complainant withdrew her allegations.
15 November: Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis, 67, arrested and bailed over allegations not linked to to Savile.
29 November: Entertainer Rolf Harris, 83, questioned by police; his name was not initially publicised.
6 December: Publicist Max Clifford, 70, arrested and bailed.
2 January 2013: Comedian and television presenter Jim Davidson, 59, arrested and bailed.
11 January: Report into Savile's crimes is released, revealing that he took advantage of up to 450 victims.
13 March: Travis re-arrested and bailed once again.
28 March: Harris re-arrested and bailed; he was identified in the media the next month.
26 April: Clifford charged with 11 counts of indecent assault against girls and young women.
1 May: Coronation Street star Bill Roache, 81, arrested and charged.
Twice-married father with love of New Age spirituality
Bill
Roache was born in 1932 and joined the cast of Coronation Street as Ken
Barlow when the soap made its debut in December 1960. He first emerged on screen as a fresh-faced, idealistic student in his 20s.
His character - the world’s longest-serving soap star - has had an array of professions and relationships over his half century in Weatherfield.
In the show, Ken has been quite the lothario, with more than 25 women, including three wives, under his belt.
Veteran: Ken and Deirdre on their wedding day in 1981; Roache will not appear on the soap for the time being
The
Ken, Deidre and Mike Barlow love triangle in the 1980s proved to be one
of the stand-out storylines of his career on the show.Off screen, his first wife was actress Anna Cropper, with whom he had a son, named Linus, who has also played his onscreen son Laurence.
The couple divorced in 1974 after 13 years of marriage, and Roache went on to wed his second wife Sara in 1978.
They had two children, Verity and James, as well as another daughter who died when she was just 18 months old.
James Roache, 27, has appeared in Coronation Street playing Ken Barlow's grandson James, Laurence's son, and also portrayed his own father in BBC drama The Road To Coronation Street.
Sara Roache died unexpectedly in February 2009 aged 58, after which her widower started dating local weathergirl Emma Jesson, although they are believed to have split up last year.
He is known for his strong interest in spirituality, and has spoken in support of astrology and other New Age practices.
The actor has taken part in Druid rituals, and apparently used to tell the fortunes of his Coronation Street co-stars using their astrological charts.
Roache has also told interviewers that he believes in reincarnation and predicted a slew of natural disasters at the end of 2012 owing to 'the vibrational level of the Earth'.
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