William Roache has joked that he thought Coronation Street bosses were trying to write him out of the soap when he read his latest big storyline.

The actor’s character Ken Barlow is left in hospital after an unknown assailant pushes him down the stairs, with members of his own family among those suspected of attempted murder.

William, 84, quipped: “Well my first thought was, ‘Are they trying to write me out?’, that was my question to Kate (producer Kate Oates).

“But once I knew Ken would recover I was thrilled with the storyline.

Coronation Street (ITV)
Ken is left hospitalised in Coronation Street (ITV)

“Strong stories are great to do, as an actor they are very enjoyable. I have always liked the idea of having this strong family, one of the oldest families all together again.”

William – who first appeared in the ITV show in 1960 – said it is a “great compliment” to be at the heart of the action after so many years on the cobbles.

Actor William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street
William Roache has been in Coronation Street since 1960 (PA)

“I do appreciate it very much, I want to be able to do it justice and to be able to continue to be part of the action,” he said.

The actor said he would like to see his character become “the natural wise leader, the patriarch of his new family, a respected elder statesmen who wouldn’t do the footwork or physical work of anything but would be the mastermind behind the family”.

“They will still infight but if anyone attacks them from the outside they will close ranks and woe betide them,” he said.