Corrie Legends Refuse to Retire — William Roache, 93, and Barbara Knox, 92, Lead the Night After Major TV Honor

William, 93, has been on the long-running ITV series since its inception, while Barbara first appeared in December 1964, but returned for a continuous role in January 1972.

When asked by Daily Mail and other media in the winner’s room about their win, Barbara especially was especially keen to shut down any retirement speculation.

Asking what keeps them feeling young in their nineties, Barbara said: ‘Well honestly, I think we’ve had the opportunity to work, that’s the greatest thing.

‘I don’t want to and I know Bill doesn’t want to retire, because stimulus from your brain gets you up. So we’re fortunate to have been able to do that.’

Coronation Street legends William Roache and Barbara Knox (pictured) insisted they aren’t slowing down yet as they were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Television gong at the Variety Club Awards on Sunday evening

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also picked up the award for Outstanding Contribution to TV during the evening (L-R) Ant McPartlin, Stephen Mulhern and Declan Donnelly

They were also asked what their advice would be for up and coming actors, and Bill joked: ‘When young actors come to me I say the first 65 years is the tough bit, the rest is easy.’

Bill also said that success into later years comes from ‘enjoying himself’ and revealed that his son ‘makes him exercise’, while Barbara quipped: ‘The lighting helps!’

William Roache is best known for his role as Ken Barlow, a part he has played since the show’s debut in 1960, making him the longest serving cast member.

Having served in the British Army as a captain, he turned his attention to acting and began performing with the Nottingham Playhouse and the Oldham Repertory Theatre.

William went on to appear in various film and television roles before landing the lead role in the Granada Television play, Marking Time.

Soon after he was cast as Ken in a role which has not only made him a household name but also earned him a place in the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest-serving television actor in a continuous role.

William was appointed an MBE in 2001 and an OBE in 2022 for his services to television and in 2008 he published his autobiography, Soul on the Street.

Meanwhile, Barbara is best known for her long-running portrayal of Rita Tanner in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.

William, 93, has been on the long-running ITV series since its inception, while Barbara first appeared in December 1964, but returned for a continuous role in January 1972 (L-R) William Roache, Kevin Lygo, Barbara Knox and Jonathon Shalitt

Vanessa Williams, who is currently appearing on the West End as Miranda Prestiely in the Devil Wears Prada, was given the Outstanding Global Contribution to The Arts and Humanity

Other winners on the night included Vernon Kay, 51, who was awarded the Silver Heart for his Outstanding Contribution to Radio

She is currently the second longest serving cast member in Coronation Street, behind William.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also picked up the award for Outstanding Contribution to TV during the evening.

The presenting duo – better known as Ant & Dec – are widely regarded as the UK’s most beloved and enduring double act.

Other winners on the night included Vernon Kay, who was awarded the Silver Heart for his Outstanding Contribution to Radio.

Vernon is one of the most experienced and versatile broadcasters in the UK, with a career spanning over 20 years across live entertainment, television, radio and sports broadcasting.

He currently presents on Radio 2, doing the MidMorning show and Dance Sounds of the 90s, which has it’s own touring club night.

In television, Vernon is currently host of M&S Dress The Nation on ITV1 and is host of Children In Need on BBC1. In 2023, Vernon raised over £6,000,000 for Children In Need, by running an Ultra-Ultramarathon from Leicester to Bolton.

Elsewhere, Jamie Wilson was given the award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre, after establishing Jamie Wilson Productions in 2008, which is one of the leading independent theatre production companies in the UK.

In the Outstanding Contribution to Music category, Olly Murs, 41, took home the win – 16 years since he burst onto our screens and remained increasingly ambitious about what’s to come

Leah Williamson was awarded the award for her contribution to football and sports, following her career as an England international footballer and captain of the Lionesses

Petula Clark, 92, was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Entertainment, while Lesley Joseph was honoured for her commitment to theatre and television

Elsewhere, composer Pip Burley received the Outstanding Contribution to Television and Variety

JWP have produced or co-produced over 100 productions in London, Broadway, on tour throughout the UK, and internationally

The Stage 100 recognised Jamie as one of the top 20 most influential figures in the theatre industry, and in 2023, JWP was nominated for Producer of the Year at The Stage Awards.

In the Outstanding Contribution to Music category, Olly Murs took home the win.

It has been 16 years since Olly burst onto our screens and he remains increasingly ambitious about what’s to come.

With five chart-topping albums, over two million tour tickets sold, 5.7M monthly Spotify listeners and a cumulative social media following of more than 26M, Olly has had an incredible career as a singer, songwriter and TV personality.

Meanwhile, Sir Lloyd Dorfman, who is an entrepreneur and philanthropist, was given the Silver Heart Award for International Humanitarianism.

Sir Lloyd was the Founder of the Travelex Group, the world’s largest retailer of foreign exchange which he started in 1976 from one small shop in central London.

ITV, who are celebrating 70 years in business this year, was naturally given the Outstanding Contribution to British Broadcasting.

Over the past seven decades ITV has become an integral part of British culture, as a leading producer and commissioner of content for audiences in the UK, and through its expanding production arm, ITV Studios, audiences around the world.

 

Other winners on the night included Zoe Aldcroft for her Outstanding Contribution to Rugby and Sport and Stephen Fry (pictured) for Theatre and Film

 

Elsewhere, Jamie Wilson was given the award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre, after establishing Jamie Wilson Productions in 2008, which is one of the leading independent theatre production companies in the UK (pictured with Ruth Jones)

Meanwhile, Sir Lloyd Dorfman, 73, who is an entrepreneur and philanthropist, was given the Silver Heart Award for International Humanitarianism

Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph beamed happily after being awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and TV gong

Adam Hills won in the Outstanding Contribution to Comedy category.

Host of the Broadcast and RTS-award-winning Channel 4 series The Last Leg, Adam Hills is one of the most popular comedians in the UK.

With sixteen solo shows that have toured internationally, his combination of positive, uplifting comedy and effervescent spontaneity has seen him receive innumerable accolades, glowing reviews and a legion of fans around the planet.

Vanessa Williams, who is currently appearing on the West End as Miranda Prestiely in the Devil Wears Prada, was given the Outstanding Global Contribution to The Arts and Humanity.

Vanessa made history in 1983 as the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America, and since then, she has built an extraordinary career spanning music, television, film, theatre, and even the New York Times Best Sellers list.

Her Broadway debut in 1994 was a landmark moment in theatre history when she stepped into the role previously played by Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Her work in music, film, television, and the Broadway stage has been recognized with 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 4 International Press Academy Satellite Awards, 7 NAACP Image Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Leah Williamson was awarded the award for her contribution to football and sports, following her career as an England international footballer and captain of the Lionesses.

She is best known for leading her country to victory at back-toback UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022 and 2025, making her the only English captain to win a tournament overseas.

In recognition of her leadership and contribution to English football, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours.

Other winners on the night included Zoe Aldcroft for her Outstanding Contribution to Rugby and Sport and Stephen Fry for Theatre and Film.

Petula Clark was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Theatre and Entertainment, while Lesley Joseph was honoured for her commitment to theatre and television.

Pip Burley received the Outstanding Contribution to Television and Variety, while finally Julia Morley CBE received the Outstanding Global Vision and Philanthropy.