Corrie's Bill Roache bitten in dogfight

Bill Roache, who plays long-standing old-timer Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, has been bitten by one of his beloved dogs.

15:57 08 August 2005

Bill Roache, who plays long-standing old-timer Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, has been bitten by one of his beloved dogs.

At the Roache's holiday home in North Wales a fight broke out between two of Bill's four Jack Russells, with the two-year-old Poppy looking vulnerable against the experience of 15-year-old Cindy.

Bill intervened to help out young Poppy, only for Cindy to bite him viciously on the left hand.

He Bill required a skin graft, taken from his thigh, in order to repair the wound, and his hand was put in plaster.

Bill posed for pictures with Poppy as he opened an opticians in Burnley. The owner of the shop said that Bill was unable to sign autographs.

He is known to have unconditional love for his dogs, once saying: "Life without our dogs would be very empty".

He added: "They are affectionate, entertaining and give you the most wonderful greeting when you come home."