Coronation Street star ‘Deirdre’: Roache a ‘perfect gentleman’

Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride has told a jury that her on-screen husband William Roache was “always a perfect gentleman” around her.

Ms Kirkbride, a stalwart of the ITV soap as Deirdre Barlow, was called as a character witness for the actor who is accused of a series of sex assaults.

Roache, 81, is accused of using his fame and popularity to exploit “starstruck” youngsters for sex in the mid- to late-1960s.

He denies two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault involving five complainants aged 16 and under between 1965 and 1971.

Giving evidence from the witness box at Preston Crown Court, Ms Kirkbride was asked what one word she would use to describe Roache.

She replied: “Lovely.”

Ms Kirkbride said she had never seen anything worrying about Roache’s behaviour on set with young women from when she joined the show in about 1972.

The actress was asked a number of questions by defending barrister Louise Blackwell QC.

She confirmed she had known Roache “for quite some time”, after she started in the soap aged 17 or 18.

Asked what she thought of Roache on meeting him, she said: “He was friendly. I remember the first time I spoke to him was outside a lift and we had a really nice chat and he offered me a cigarette.

“We shared a lot of the same interests in spiritual things. I just found him very easy to talk to.”

Miss Blackwell asked her: “At that time, if you had one word to describe Mr Roache what would it be?”

She replied: “Lovely.”

Roache smiled in the dock as she made the comment.

Ms Kirkbride, 59, was asked: “Your contact with him in terms of a man and woman together, how did he behave?”

Ms Kirkbride said: “Impeccably. Perfectly. He was always a perfect gentleman.”

The barrister asked: “When you first joined was there anything about his behaviour towards young women which was worrying?”

“Not at all,” said the actress. “No, never.”

Miss Blackwell said: “Over the years have you seen him in the company of young actor members?”

Ms Kirkbride said: “He has obviously been in the company of younger cast members on a work basis.

“We have had several young actresses play the part of our daughter.

“He has never been anything other than helpful and supportive.”

After about five minutes of giving evidence, Ms Kirkbride left the witness box. She briefly glanced towards the dock before she left the courtroom and smiled at Roache. He smiled and waved at her.

Fellow cast member Chris Gascoyne, 45, was next to be called to the witness box. He identified himself as the actor who plays Ken Barlow’s son, Peter Barlow, after joining the show in 2000.

“How would you describe the length of time in Mr Roache’s company?” Miss Blackwell asked him.

“It’s been a joy to be with Bill,” he replied.

“Over the last 13 years did you spend a lot of time with him within Granada or outside socially?” Miss Blackwell asked.

“Not outside, always in the studios. We don’t really socialise, the odd occasion at functions or charity dos,” Mr Gascoyne said.

Miss Blackwell continued: “How many working days the last 13 years?”

“Hundreds,” he replied.

“Have you been able to assess his character while working alongside him? How would you describe it?” Miss Blackwell asked.

Mr Gascoyne replied: “Kind, warm, open, good sense of humour. Professional.”

Miss Blackwell said: “In terms of contact towards and with young women, how would you describe it?”

“Completely normal,” the witness said, “Well, nothing untoward.”

After giving his evidence, in less than five minutes, Mr Gascoyne left the dock. He smiled and waved at Roache, who raised a hand and smiled back.

Next to give evidence was actress Helen Worth, another veteran of the soap, who plays Gail McIntyre.

Miss Blackwell asked her how Roache behaved among the cast.

She replied: “He had been there longer than anyone else. We looked up to him. He was a father figure. An elder statesman.”

The barrister asked: “During the time that you worked with him, how would you describe his character, particularly in reference to young women?”

Ms Worth said: “He was caring. Never anything more. Just caring. What more can a man be? He was lovely.”

The trial continues.