View Full Version : Keep it in the family - Barlow spoiler
Coronation Street legend Bill Roache is to be joined on the cobbles by his two sons Linus and James later this year, it has been announced.
The pair will join the Weatherfield serial in September as part of a surprise new plot for their father's character Ken Barlow.
In the build-up to Coronation Street's 50th anniversary celebrations, Ken uncovers a dark family secret when a letter from the 1960s is unearthed during building work.
Although it is understood that Ken's discovery sparks Linus and James's arrival on screen, show bosses are keeping tight-lipped about the identity of their characters.
Speaking of the twist, Bill Roache commented: "I can think of no better way to celebrate my 50th anniversary on Coronation Street than to be working alongside both of my sons - I am looking forward to it immensely."
Linus has already appeared on Coronation Street before, having played Ken's son Peter briefly in the 1970s. He has since starred in NBC's Law and Order, 2005 movie Batman Begins and the Robert F. Kennedy biographical drama RFK.
James, meanwhile, has appeared in ITV1's Cold Blood and BBC One's The Innocence Project.
The duo will appear on screen for three weeks following their arrival in September.
tammyy2j
25-05-2010, 17:28
I like Linus on L&O its a shame its cancelled
James Roache has admitted it was "confusing" juggling his two roles related to Coronation Street.
The actor, who is the son of Corrie legend William Roache in real life, will be seen as his father in BBC drama The Road To Coronation Street.
At the same time, he filmed the part of his dad's screen grandson in the ITV1 soap.
He said: "There was a time they were overlapping and it was getting confusing. In the morning I'd be playing my father in real life as a young man and then I'd jump over and play his character's grandson in the afternoon so it was very strange."
He joked: "I don't know who I am! They popped on a little wig to look like daddy as well. I was like, 'What's going on?' - it's like the Twilight Zone."
His soap storyline sees him play James, Ken Barlow's long-lost gay grandson who has fallen out with his homophobic dad Lawrence, played by James' half-brother Linus Roache.
In an interview, Bill commented: "They did very well and Phil Collinson our producer liked the story.
"The story is not concluded. Why is he still so bigoted against his gay son? So it needs rounding up.
He confirmed that their return would depend on his schedule while filming Law & Order in the US.
"Linus is so busy in New York, so that's the problem," he said. "But hopefully next year he will get another gap, come over and we'll have another session."
James Roache will reprise his role as Coronation Street's James Cunningham in 2011.
Roache played his real-life father William's (Ken Barlow) unknown grandson, while his character's father Lawrence is portrayed by James's actual brother Linus.
In the soap, Lawrence held strong homophobic views which caused problems for his family as James is gay.
The show's official website revealed that filming for James's return will begin in March, though no announcement has been made regarding any storylines.
William Roache has revealed that his son James will become involved in Sophie and Sian's storyline when he returns to Coronation Street.
James made his debut as Ken Barlow's gay grandson last year alongside William's other son Linus, who played his on-screen homophobic father Lawrence. It was announced in December that James is to return to the ITV soap.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, William confirmed that James will begin filming for two months in March.
"James is coming back - he starts filming in March," he said. "Linus lives in America - he was in Law & Order so he could only get two weeks, so the story was very quick and over. He was homophobic in it and we need to bring him back to explain why."
However, the actor continued to tease that James's return will see him become involved with Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) and Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson).
"Young James is in again in March for two months with the two young lesbian girls - so there should be an interesting story there," he said.
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Ken Barlow is pleased to meet his intellectual match in long-lost grandson, James. S
The 'Coronation Street' veteran - played by actor Bill Roache - is thrilled when the literature-loving youngster turns up on the cobbles, because it means he finally has someone to have an intelligent conversation with.
A 'Corrie' insider explained: "Ken is always longing for intelligent conversation, and James is a well-educated, erudite young man who he has a lot of respect for.
"Ken gets a bit carried away and immediately suggests that James should move in with him and Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride)."
James - played by Bill's real-life son James - was first introduced to Ken as the son of his secret love child Lawrence, who is portrayed by Bill's other son Linus, but he found it difficult to endure his son's homophobic attitude towards his gay grandson.
However, with James now moving to the Street to work with a nearby homeless charity, Ken will see the perfect opportunity to grow close to his grandson away from the prying eyes of Lawrence.
The source added to Inside Soap magazine: "James tell Ken that he's going to be working nearby, as the homeless charity he's involved with is opening a new hostel in the vicinity.
"It's great, because it will give them the chance to really get to know each other. Ken would love to be closer to James and find out all about his life."
(C) BANG Media International
JAMES Roache had huge shoes to fill when he stepped on to Corrie's cobbles - but he reckons being the son of legend Bill has inspired his best work.
The actor, 25, plays James Cunningham, the long-lost grandson of Ken Barlow - portrayed by his dad since 1960.
And he is determined to prove that his acting ability is every bit as good as his beloved father's.
He told TV Biz: "I was a bit worried that some people might say I'm only in the show because my father plays Ken, and it's hard because nepotism is an accusation that can fly around.
"But I am very, very proud of the Roache name and I'm very proud of my father. It could be daunting following in his footsteps, but for me the name is actually inspiring.
"It makes me want to do as well as my dad and to keep going forward.
"He's an amazing man and he's everything to me - he's a role model, a rock, my best friend, mentor and an incredible father; he's very supportive, very understanding and very kind.
"We have a similar sense of humour and there's a lot of banter and teasing. He has a very young outlook.
"It's only when I see it written down that I remember he's 79."
Viewers first saw the TV character James last year when he arrived in the Street with his father Lawrence, Ken's son. To make things even more confusing, Lawrence was played by Linus Roache - Ken's oldest son by his first marriage.
The screen James is gay and soon clashed with Lawrence over his sexuality. They then left Weatherfield.
But last month the character reappeared, after the charity he works for opened a local shelter for the homeless. Polite and charming, James seems to Ken the perfect grandson. But as the story develops, it emerges that he may not be quite what he seems.
James said: "It was great working with him last year, but it was only for a few episodes and coming back for a longer stint was a concern.
"Although the Roache name can help me get a foot in the door, if you haven't got the ability or the goods, you're not going to get anywhere."
James is the youngest of Bill's four children - and he has happy memories of growing up with a telly superstar dad. He said: "When I was little I just thought he was going to a nine to five job. It was only when I got a bit older I realised there was anything different.
"I remember visiting Madame Tussauds in London with him. My father was just standing there quite still waiting and some people went up to him and said, 'Ooh, look, that's very lifelike'. He said, 'What?' and moved and they gasped and ran off."
Young James and his friends also enjoyed visits to the Corrie set at weekends when no one else was around. James recalled: "It was like the most luxurious playground and we just ran riot for a couple of hours.We were terrible. I can't believe my father let us do it.
"We'd go into the corner shop and stuff our faces with sweets and chocolate, then we'd go into the Rovers and pull each other pints.
"There was a character at the time with an electric wheelchair and we'd sit on that and zoom in and out of the sets and drain the battery.
"We even set off the fire extinguishers. They installed security cameras but we worked out the blind spots.
"Then they changed the chocolates in the Kabin to fake ones - I'm sure that was down to us. I'm amazed they've invited me back really!"
The actor has moved back with his dad in Wilmslow, Cheshire, while he works on the show. He usually shares a London flat with interior designer sister Verity, 29.
The family is close, and James is in regular contact with his half-brother Linus, 47, and half-sister Vanya, 44, from his dad's first marriage. James's mum Sara - Bill's wife of 30 years - died suddenly two years ago from a heart condition.
James began his acting career in 2005 in TV movie The Marchioness Disaster and later played his dad as a young man in BBC4's The Road to Coronation Street.
He then decided to change his name from Will to middle name James, to avoid confusion with his father.
James said: "I had a bit of fun for a day or two experimenting with a few different names. I phoned my father as a joke and told him I had a list of potential names.
"I said, 'I've got Rufus, Rick, Destiny or Mike'. And he said, 'Oh, I don't know about Rufus.' And that was what he had a problem with. Not that his son might have changed his name to Destiny Roache!"
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3581980/Bill-Roaches-son-Im-not-daunted.html#ixzz1MUHy9wYE
They'd certainly have some down to earth comments about it on Coronation Street.
Despite a successful career in showbusiness, Linus Roache – son of soap veteran Bill – has taken on a key role in the world of spiritual enlightenment.
The 48-year-old has moved to New York to help run the worldwide sect of a controversial guru ‘dedicated to catalysing evolution in consciousness and culture’.
Linus Roache, met spiritualist Andrew Cohen, in 1994 and soon joined his network, EnlightenNext
Mr Roache is now managing director of the group's New York offices while his wife, Rosalind Barrett, organises Mr Cohen's PR and speaking engagements
In a candid interview, Roache also said he recently used an ‘animal psychic’ to communicate with his dead cat.
The actor made his name in the American police series Law & Order and appeared in Julian Fellowes’ ITV drama Titanic in March. Next year he will return to UK screens in one-off costume drama The Making of a Lady, playing an English aristocrat opposite Joanna Lumley. But viewers will be less familiar with his secondary life as a disciple of ‘cultural visionary’ Andrew Cohen.
Mr Roache met the spiritualist leader in 1994 and soon joined his spiritual network, EnlightenNext. Since then he and his wife Rosalind Barrett have climbed steadily up the organisation’s ranks.
Mr Roache is now managing director of the group’s New York offices while Miss Barrett organises Mr Cohen’s PR and speaking engagements.
Mr Roache revealed he meditates with his father Bill, now 80, and praised him for helping him stay true to his beliefs
In an interview with occult magazine Spirit and Destiny he gave a revealing snapshot of his beliefs. He said: ‘I realised success as an actor alone wouldn’t make me happy.
'I needed to explore my spiritual side in more depth. We recently consulted an animal communicator to find out why our cat, Chloe, kept climbing 80ft trees. I was spending $300 (£186) a time to pay tree surgeons to rescue her.
‘The animal psychic nailed her personality and described her climbing as an immature habit she’d grow out of.
‘She told us Chloe was saying, “I’m not up the tree now, so what are you worried about?” She also communicated with another of our cats, Jack, when he was alive and after he died.’
Mr Roache revealed he meditates with his father, now 80, and praised him for helping him stay true to his beliefs.
He said: ‘Dad has always been – and still is – a great influence on me. He has always stood up for spirit, staying true to his beliefs and commitment to them, and I like to do the same with regard to my own beliefs, regardless of potential criticism or mockery.’
Speaking for the first time about his childhood, he added: ‘My parents were receptive to the emerging wave of spirituality in the 1960s and the way they embrace it opened me up to new dimensions.
Some former members of EnlightenNext have accused Andrew Cohen of bullying followers
‘Mum [the late actress Anna Cropper] read I Ching and Tarot cards, and she and Dad became druids for a while.
‘So from an early age I was contemplating the big questions: Who are we? What’s life all about?’
Bill Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since the first episode of Coronation Street in 1960, has often spoken of his belief in spiritualism.
He briefly became a druid in the 1960s and celebrated the summer solstice at Stonehenge.
Following the death of his 18-month-old daughter Edwina in 1984 he became a fervent believer in reincarnation.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246659/Ken-Barlows-son-handed-job-mystic-leader-Actor-moves-New-York-role-controversial-sect.html#ixzz2EnLJIQek
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They'd certainly have some down to earth comments about it on Coronation Street.
Despite a successful career in showbusiness, Linus Roache – son of soap veteran Bill – has taken on a key role in the world of spiritual enlightenment.
The 48-year-old has moved to New York to help run the worldwide sect of a controversial guru ‘dedicated to catalysing evolution in consciousness and culture’.
Linus Roache, met spiritualist Andrew Cohen, in 1994 and soon joined his network, EnlightenNext
Mr Roache is now managing director of the group's New York offices while his wife, Rosalind Barrett, organises Mr Cohen's PR and speaking engagements
In a candid interview, Roache also said he recently used an ‘animal psychic’ to communicate with his dead cat.
The actor made his name in the American police series Law & Order and appeared in Julian Fellowes’ ITV drama Titanic in March. Next year he will return to UK screens in one-off costume drama The Making of a Lady, playing an English aristocrat opposite Joanna Lumley. But viewers will be less familiar with his secondary life as a disciple of ‘cultural visionary’ Andrew Cohen.
Mr Roache met the spiritualist leader in 1994 and soon joined his spiritual network, EnlightenNext. Since then he and his wife Rosalind Barrett have climbed steadily up the organisation’s ranks.
Mr Roache is now managing director of the group’s New York offices while Miss Barrett organises Mr Cohen’s PR and speaking engagements.
Mr Roache revealed he meditates with his father Bill, now 80, and praised him for helping him stay true to his beliefs
In an interview with occult magazine Spirit and Destiny he gave a revealing snapshot of his beliefs. He said: ‘I realised success as an actor alone wouldn’t make me happy.
'I needed to explore my spiritual side in more depth. We recently consulted an animal communicator to find out why our cat, Chloe, kept climbing 80ft trees. I was spending $300 (£186) a time to pay tree surgeons to rescue her.
‘The animal psychic nailed her personality and described her climbing as an immature habit she’d grow out of.
‘She told us Chloe was saying, “I’m not up the tree now, so what are you worried about?” She also communicated with another of our cats, Jack, when he was alive and after he died.’
Mr Roache revealed he meditates with his father, now 80, and praised him for helping him stay true to his beliefs.
He said: ‘Dad has always been – and still is – a great influence on me. He has always stood up for spirit, staying true to his beliefs and commitment to them, and I like to do the same with regard to my own beliefs, regardless of potential criticism or mockery.’
Speaking for the first time about his childhood, he added: ‘My parents were receptive to the emerging wave of spirituality in the 1960s and the way they embrace it opened me up to new dimensions.
Some former members of EnlightenNext have accused Andrew Cohen of bullying followers
‘Mum [the late actress Anna Cropper] read I Ching and Tarot cards, and she and Dad became druids for a while.
‘So from an early age I was contemplating the big questions: Who are we? What’s life all about?’
Bill Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since the first episode of Coronation Street in 1960, has often spoken of his belief in spiritualism.
He briefly became a druid in the 1960s and celebrated the summer solstice at Stonehenge.
Following the death of his 18-month-old daughter Edwina in 1984 he became a fervent believer in reincarnation.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246659/Ken-Barlows-son-handed-job-mystic-leader-Actor-moves-New-York-role-controversial-sect.html#ixzz2EnLJIQek
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