Coronation Street's William Roache says he might not be on soap 'for some time'

ITV bosses have asked older cast members to stay at home

Coronation Street star William Roache says his fans may have to wait some time to see him back on the TV screen due to the coronavirus crisis.

The actor, who grew up in Ilkeston, has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since its launch in 1960, has revealed the difficulties the show's producers are being faced with due to the pandemic.

It has been reported that filming for the soap is set to resume in mid-June, but as the coronavirus crisis is still ongoing the older cast members will not be allowed to return for their safety.

This means that Roach, 88, will have to wait a little longer to play his next scenes as Ken, and his fans may have to wait a while for his new material.

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Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, the actor said: "Senior members of the cast will not be called back for some time, sadly. I'd like to get back.

"They've said it's going to be very, very different. Scenes will be about lockdown.

"Scenes will be shot more simply with less people. Cameras will be placed where there's required distance, so it will be very, very different when we get back."

The Daily Mail reports ITV boss Kevin Lygo recently confirmed it is likely older cast members on Coronation Street and Emmerdale won't return to set for sometime, saying; "I don't want Ken Barlow to get sick."

But due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, it is unknown when the date of their return will be.

Last month Mr Roache told ITV's Good Morning Britain show how he was staying at home with his family in Cheshire and how he had learned to iron shirts for the first time.

He said: "Will (his son) is putting me through these exercises which I am trying to get out of but he's very stubborn about it.

"And I'm ironing my shirts for the first time. I now know how to wash and iron a shirt - so something good has come out of it."

Coronation Street is currently running just three episodes a week, compared to its usual six due to the impact of the pandemic.