Coronation Street producers have reportedly offered Bill Roache a new one-year deal to stay with the soap as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday.
The cobbles legend has played Ken Barlow on the show since its first episode in December 1960 - a world-record feat - and remains adamant that he never wants to retire.
According to the Daily Star, Roache has been offered a "bumper pay packet" to pen a new 12-month contract that would keep him in Weatherfield until at least 2023.
"Bill is a huge part of Coronation Street and they know how much the fans adore him," a source told the newspaper.
"They love the idea of marking his 90th birthday with a great storyline.
"Bill may be pushing 90 but he still has the energy, passion and talent that make him soap's greatest-ever actor."
Earlier this year Roache was forced to take a temporary break from the show after he tested positive for coronavirus.
Neil Wilkes
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