Roache: I am innocent

Coronation Street star Bill Roache is looking forward to standing before a jury to “vigorously protest his innocence” of “deeply upsetting” child sex charges, his lawyer said.

Brian Russell spoke as the actor arrived at court to face new charges.

Roache, 81, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested on Thursday.

The new offences are alleged to have been committed in 1965 and 1968 with the alleged victims aged between 11 and 16.

After Roache was charged last month with raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967, he issued a statement saying he “strenuously” denied the allegations.