CORONATION Street fans are confused after Ken Barlow said goodbye to the cobbles – but actor Bill Roache insists he’s staying on the soap.
The actor – who has played Ken for 59 years – will continue to act in the ITV soap as only his character Ken is leaving the cobbles to move to a retirement flat elsewhere in Weatherfield.
But despite this fans are confused by the difference between Bill and Ken and what it all means.
One wrote: “Did Ken leave ?? Bit confused by last scene #corrie”
A second said: “@itvcorrie please confirm whether Ken has left #Corrie or not
people are getting confused with the special ep tonight.”
Another added: “HONESTLY, what did that end mean?????? Is Ken Barlow off? I’m so confused. Because other than that, it was such a dull ep.”
Actor Bill explained that Ken had to take his final chance of adventure: “This is a big decision for Ken but in some ways he thinks it is now or never.
“He has lived on the same street his whole life and in the same house for most of it. He feels that he had a chance to move away with Martha on the barge but he let her go. Part of him regretted that. He doesn’t want to make the same mistake again and Claudia is very persuasive.
“Filming that final scene of the episode was very poignant, just Ken and Eccles and the cobbles. He breaks the news to the family next week and they are surprised but very soon Peter and Tracy start squabbling over who will be given first refusal on the house.
“We have already started filming at the retirement complex and I am really enjoying it, it always feels different when we film away from the street.
“It seems fitting that Ken makes this decision in the 10,000th episode but it will be strange not filming in number 1 after all this time.”
Bill had previously spoken about his desire to remain acting on the soap until he is 100.
He told Lorraine in 2018: “I’ve been in it for 58 years. I’m in the Guinness Book of Records.
“I’ve got the MBE for services to television. My goal now is to be the first centenarian still working in a serial.
“I think they want me as well. I’m very lucky to have the job. I really appreciate the job and I love it very much.”
