Coronation Street star Bill Roache has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967.
The 81-year-old actor, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV Soap for 53 years, was arrested by Lancashire Police at his home in Wilmslow this morning.
A spokesperson from Lancashire Police said "An 81 year old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday, 1st May 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape.
"The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.
"The offences are alleged to have been committed in Haslingden between April and July 1967 and to involve a girl aged 15 years.
"We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."
Photo: Bill Roache presenting the prizes after the Bypass Run in October 2010.
