William Roache
Ken Barlow will be accused of being gay when he returns to the Coronation Street cobbles.
The veteran Weatherfield resident is set to make a comeback to the ITV soap next month and his first scenes involve his on-screen daughter Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) winding him up about his sexuality.
Actor William Roache took a lengthy break from the show last year while he was cleared of historic sex offences, and his alter-ego Ken's absence has been explained by a trip to Canada.
Upon his return, Ken tells his family: "While I've been away I've had the time to do a lot of thinking, and I've become a..."
Manipulative superbitch Tracy interrupts him by saying: "What, that you're a homosexual?"
According to the Daily Star newspaper, straight-laced Ken then replies: "No - a vegetarian."
The presents he brings back for his family don't go down too well either and his wife Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) is especially unimpressed with her jar of maple syrup.
She jokes: "Never mind Tracy, this will liven up our bacon and eggs!"
William, 82 - who has starred in the soap for 54 years - was greeted with open arms by his castmates when he returned to the 'Corrie' set in Manchester.
Tagged in Anne Kirkbride Tracy Barlow