Coronation Street star Bill Roache 'heartbroken' after death of eldest daughter

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has been granted compassionate leave from the soap after the “heart-breaking” death of his eldest daughter.

The show’s bosses have reportedly told him to take as much time as he needs following the death of Vanya Roache aged 50.

It is the third family loss to hit the 85-year-old actor following the death of his second wife Sara Mottram in 2009. The couple’s daughter Edwina also died from pneumonia aged 18 months in 1983.

A source told The Sun: “Bill is utterly heartbroken. No father should have to go through the loss of a child, let alone two.

“ITV are giving him all the time he needs but he's understandably very upset.

“After hearing the news on Friday he’s been told to take as long as required. There’s no word just yet on when he’ll return.”

Roache has played Ken Barlow on the soap since 1960, making him the world's longest-serving television actor in a continuous role.

Vanya was his eldest daughter from his marriage to first wife Anna Cropper, who he met while both acting in Nottingham.