Ken has been in Coronation Street from the very start, but what has his life been like and who was his first wife Valerie Barlow, and when was her death?
Bill Roache, who plays the legendary Ken Barlow, appeared in the soap’s first ever episode on December 9 1960.
The Barlow family have been at the very centre of some of the biggest storylines that Coronation Street has ever seen.
But as various Barlow family members come and go, there is one familiar face that has stayed the same, and that’s Ken.
Created by the one and only Tony Warren, Ken Barlow has stood the test of time over the years, and even Bill himself has admitted that he has no plans to ever leave his role on the soap and will remain in Coronation Street for as long as they will have him.
Here is a short history of what Ken’s life and what he has been up to for the last 60 years…
How many times has Ken Barlow been married in Coronation Street?
Ken’s no stranger to a good wedding, having got married four times on the soap. His first wife Valerie appeared in Corrie from 1961 until 1971.
He married his first wife, Valerie Tatlock (played by the legendary Anne Reid) in 1962, and the couple went on to have twins, Peter and Susan.
But while Ken’s philandering ways made their marriage a slightly rocky one, the pair loved one another and always reunited in the end.
However in 1971, Ken was left a single dad when Valerie suddenly died. The Barlow family decided to move to Jamaica as Ken had accepted a teaching job out there.
On the night before they left, neighbours and friends threw a farewell party for Ken and Valerie. But Val was late getting ready and hurried to try and dry her hair.
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