Coronation Street co-stars defend 'gentleman' Bill Roache
Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been defended by some of his co-stars at his trial at Preston Crown Court.
The 81-year-old, faces two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault involving five complainants aged 16 and under between 1965 and 1971.
Anne Kirkbride, 59, who plays his on-screen wife Deirdre Barlow, described Mr Roache as "lovely" and "a perfect gentleman".
She also 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.
ITV News' UK Editor Lucy Manning reports.
Chris Gascoyne, who has played Ken Barlow's son, Peter Barlow, since 2000, told the court "it's been a joy to be with Bill".
He added: "Bill kind of sets the precedent for everybody, decent to everybody, kind to everybody and not a star."
When asked to describe his co-star's contact towards and with young women, Mr Gascoyne, said: "Completely normal," adding: "Well, nothing untoward."
Helen Worth, 63, who plays Gail McIntyre in the soap, told the jury she joined the show in 1974, aged 23.
When asked how Mr 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."
Louise Blackwell QC, defending 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."
Miss Blackwell said to her: "Did you see him in the company of young female cast members?"
"Yes, of course," she said. "I never saw anything that was untoward whatsoever in 40 years."
Mr Roache denies all the charges and has told the jury he has never even met any of his alleged victims.
The trial was adjourned until tomorrow at 11.30am.