WRITTEN OUT BEFORE THE VERDICT

William Roache had played Ken Barlow in Coronation Street since its first episode in December 1960. By 2013, he was the world’s longest-serving television soap actor and one of the most recognisable figures in British broadcasting.

On 1 May that year, Roache was arrested over an allegation dating from 1967. Further allegations followed. He denied them all.

ITV announced that Roache would not appear in Coronation Street while legal proceedings continued. Scenes featuring him were removed from forthcoming episodes and Ken Barlow’s absence was explained through a storyline in which he had travelled to Canada.

The decision was understandable as an interim measure. Its consequences were not interim. Roache disappeared from the programme he had represented for more than half a century while the allegations, his arrest and details of the prosecution became national news.

His trial began at Preston Crown Court in January 2014. Roache faced two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault involving five complainants. The allegations spanned the 1960s and 1970s.

One charge was dismissed by the judge because of insufficient evidence. On 6 February, the jury found Roache not guilty of every remaining charge.

Lancashire Police confirmed that he had been acquitted and that there was no continuing investigation. Roache thanked the jury and said he wanted to return to work.

ITV welcomed the verdict but did not immediately restore him to the screen. Roache resumed filming in June and finally reappeared as Ken Barlow on 4 August 2014—more than fifteen months after his arrest.

An employer may decide that someone facing serious charges cannot remain on screen. But such decisions also demonstrate how punishment can precede a verdict. Roache lost more than a year of work and was removed from a programme inseparable from his public identity.

The allegations received months of coverage. The acquittals were delivered in a single morning.

Roache returned to Weatherfield. The time taken from him could not be written back into the script.

SOURCES