First look at Coronation Street legend Bill Roache, 91, as he woos new on screen love interest at singles’ night

CORRIE’S Ken Barlow is pleased as punch at a singles night as he drinks with a new love interest — played by Helen Lederer.

The Absolutely Fabulous star’s character Elspeth is wooed by the three-times-married cobbles veteran — played by Bill Roache, 91 — in Wednesday’s episode.

About joining the ITV soap, Helen, 69, said: “When you get the call for Coronation Street. you drop everything.”

Helen said: “When you get the call for Coronation Street you drop everything.

“And to be offered a part playing a role opposite William Roache is even more exciting.

“Bill was such a charming, lovely man.”

We reported yesterday that a TV source said: “Despite being Weatherfield’s oldest resident Ken still has an eye for the ladies and his character is very charming.

“Corrie stars are paid per episode so this storyline will help boost Bill’s earnings.

“Bosses know what he’s going through and bringing in Helen as Ken’s new love interest will mean more air time, which means more cash.”

Bill has previously claimed he has not been short of female company off screen either, telling Piers Morgan in an interview in 2012 that he had bedded up to 1,000 women.

That boast led to his co-stars nicknaming him “c**k Roache”.

Last week he opened up about why the show was losing viewers.

Speaking on Cameo he said: “A lot of people stop watching.

“The difficulty the producers have is you’ve got an older generation that’s getting older, and you’ve got to keep appealing to the younger generation and that isn’t easy.”