Bill Roache appears in court

The Coronation Street actor Bill Roache will face trial in January over allegations of child sex offences against five girls.

The 81-year-old actor, who plays Ken Barlow in the soap, appeared at Preston Crown Court today charged with two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault in the 1960s. He denies the charges.

Coronation Street star Bill Roache will face trial in January over allegations of historic sexual offences against five girls.

The 81-year-old actor was charged in May with two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in east Lancashire in 1967.

Last week he faced fresh charges of five indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16. He appeared today for a five-minute preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court. His trial date was set for January 13.

He was bailed until his next court appearance on September 2 when he will enter formal pleas.Last week, Roache's lawyer said his client was looking forward to standing before a jury to "vigorously protest his innocence" over "deeply upsetting" child sex allegations.

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache is due at Preston Crown Court charged with raping a 15-year old girl in the 1960's.

The soap star from Cheshire appeared before magistrates on Friday to face five new charges of indecent assualt.

Mr Roache denies the allegations.

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on Monday, when he is due to face an earlier charge of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967.

Roache denies the allegations.

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache's lawyer Brian Russell made a statement outside court.

The actor William Roache has pleaded not guilty to 5 allegations of indecent assault against four girls in the 1960s. He is appearing at Preston Magistrates' Court.

Coronation Street star Bill Roache is looking forward to standing before a jury to "vigorously protest his innocence" of "deeply upsetting" sex charges, his lawyer Brian Russell said today outside Preston Magistrates' Court.