Roache case ‘infected’ by Savile

The case against Coronation Street’s William Roache is “nonsense” with the trial haunted by the “spectre” of Jimmy Savile, a court heard.

Louise Blackwell QC, defending Roache, poured scorn on the idea that the actor turned from “perfect gentleman” to a sexual predator and back again, she told the jury.

Roache, 81, who plays Ken Barlow in the ITV soap, is accused of using his fame to exploit “starstruck” youngsters in the late 1960s and early 1970s.