CORRIE’S Ken Barlow is pleased as punch at a singles night as he drinks with a new love interest — played by Helen Lederer.
The Absolutely Fabulous star’s character Elspeth is wooed by the three-times-married cobbles veteran — played by Bill Roache, 91 — in Wednesday’s episode.
![FROM ITV..STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Tuesday 19th March 2024..Coronation Street - Ep 1122425..Wednesday 27th March 2024..Steve McDonald [SIMON GREGSON] returns home to find Ken Barlow [WILLIAM ROACHE] trying on different jackets. When Ken reveals that hes going to join him for cocktail night at the Chariot Square, Steve does his best to appear pleased. How will the evening go? Debbie Webster [SUE DEVANEY] approaches Ken and Steve with drinks and pointing out Elspeth [HELEN LEDERER], an older lady in the corner, explains that she bought them and shes had her eye on Ken all evening. Steves incredulous to realise Kens pulled... .Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com..Photographer - Danielle Baguley..This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27_03_CORO_STEVE_KEN_DATING_06JPG-JS887741824.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
![FROM ITV..STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Tuesday 19th March 2024..Coronation Street - Ep 1122425..Wednesday 27th March 2024..Steve McDonald [SIMON GREGSON] returns home to find Ken Barlow [WILLIAM ROACHE] trying on different jackets. When Ken reveals that hes going to join him for cocktail night at the Chariot Square, Steve does his best to appear pleased. How will the evening go? Debbie Webster [SUE DEVANEY] approaches Ken and Steve with drinks and pointing out Elspeth [HELEN LEDERER], an older lady in the corner, explains that she bought them and shes had her eye on Ken all evening. Steves incredulous to realise Kens pulled... .Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com..Photographer - Danielle Baguley..This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27_03_CORO_STEVE_KEN_DATING_03JPG-JS887741754.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
About joining the ITV soap, Helen, 69, said: “When you get the call for Coronation Street. you drop everything.”
Helen said: “When you get the call for Coronation Street you drop everything.
“And to be offered a part playing a role opposite William Roache is even more exciting.
“Bill was such a charming, lovely man.”
We reported yesterday that a TV source said: “Despite being Weatherfield’s oldest resident Ken still has an eye for the ladies and his character is very charming.
“Corrie stars are paid per episode so this storyline will help boost Bill’s earnings.
“Bosses know what he’s going through and bringing in Helen as Ken’s new love interest will mean more air time, which means more cash.”
Bill has previously claimed he has not been short of female company off screen either, telling Piers Morgan in an interview in 2012 that he had bedded up to 1,000 women.
That boast led to his co-stars nicknaming him “c**k Roache”.
Last week he opened up about why the show was losing viewers.
Speaking on Cameo he said: “A lot of people stop watching.
“The difficulty the producers have is you’ve got an older generation that’s getting older, and you’ve got to keep appealing to the younger generation and that isn’t easy.”
