Corrie star reveals he is 'deaf'

William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, is given visual cues...

10:05 12 April 2010

Coronation Street legend William Roache (who plays gentle stalwart Ken Barlow) has revealed he is partially deaf.

The 77-year-old, who found fame playing the easy-going character, is 50% deaf in both ears and requires visual cues to prompt him when on the set of the ITV soap.

"Deafness is extremely isolating," he said. "I live in a cocooned world."

Roache is a founding member of the soap's cast and the only remaining original cast member, having appeared since the first black and white episode on December 9 1960.

The actor said he damaged his hearing as a young soldier, when a bomb exploded at close range during a training exercise.

Roache explained: "I was 21, I was an officer, it was a training exercise but with live ammunition, and some over-keen guy pulled the bomb up and I got the full blast of the explosion right by my ear.

"I could not hear at all for three weeks."

The Corrie star has since had a hearing aid fitted, but says his condition can still be "extremely isolating".

"I could be having a normal conversation and certain things I just won't hear. I can't hear watches or alarms, footsteps or the rustling of paper."

On set of the soap, he added, "the floor manager has to give me a visual cue, a hand signal, and it is just something that I have learned to live with.

"I have put up with it all these years."