Coronation Street actor Bill Roache cleared of all sex abuse charges

Bill Roache has been cleared of all sexual abuse charges.

The Coronation Street actor was found not guilty of two rapes and four indecent assaults today at Preston Crown Court.

Five women had claimed that he assaulted them while aged 16 or under between 1965 and 1971. He was also cleared of a fifth indecent assault charge due to lack of evidence.

The 81-year-old denied knowing any of the women, and insisted that he had never been sexually interested in underage girls.

The women had claimed that he had assaulted them in the toilets and dressing rooms at Manchester’s Granada Studios, and in his Rolls Royce.

His family are said to have cried with relief after the verdicts were announced by the jury.

Roache is now expected to return to Coronation Street as Ken Barlow, having not appeared on the soap since April 29, 2013.