Ken Barlow's absence from Coronation Street will finally be addressed on screen next week.
The ITV soap's longest-running character is not appearing in the programme while Bill Roache, who plays him, is facing charges of rape and indecent assault.
Ken was last seen on Monday, April 29, when Tracy (Kate Ford) caused tension by inviting new boyfriend Rob Donovan to dinner at the Barlows'.
In the Coronation Street double bill airing on Friday, July 12, Ken's absence will be worked into the storyline as his wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) reveals that he has flown off to Canada.
Ken makes the last-minute trip to support his grandson Adam, who is unwell after suffering a shock collapse.
Deirdre tells Tracy: "Canada is a long way away and he's got no other family. Blacking out like that is frightening, and he collapsed at work."
Tracy replies: "So dad just drops everything. You know something, I can't imagine he would ever do anything like that for me."
Roache was charged on May 1 with two counts of rape involving a 15-year-old girl in the 1960s. He was later charged with five indecent assaults against four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16, but strenuously denies all of the allegations.
The 81-year-old will next appear in court on September 2 and a provisional trial date has been set for January 13.
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