I lied to get my first job in acting

BILL Roache as Coronation Street's Ken Barlow has been part of the nation's fixtures and fittings for the past 65 years.

- MARC BAKER

But the world's longest-serving TV soap actor, 93, has admitted he cut a couple of corners early in his career.

The first fib came after he had turned his back on studying to be a doctor, like his dad.

Bill had a place at medical college after two years National Service in the Gulf with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, where he reached the rank of captain.

But he had been in his school's drama society and wanted to act. He auditioned at an address in London's Belgrave Square and over the phone was offered £49 a day for two days' work.

Bill said: "He said: 'You are a member of Equity [the actors' union] aren't you?' I heard this voice tell me to say 'yes'.

"Two days later I got the contract and went to Equity's head office. I told them I'd been offered this part and wasn't a member.

They told me to fill in a form.