Coronation Street's iconic character Ken Barlow will never be axed with actor  William Roache offered a job for life by ITV bosses. 

The 93-year-old TV veteran has played the role since the very first episode back in 1960 and holds a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving soap star.

In a new interview, Corrie boss Iain MacLeod said William should not fear being killed off or sent packing in the back of a taxi like so many other characters and can 'absolutely' stay on the street as long as he wants.

He said: 'I mean, it would be a brave producer team that took that decision [to axe William].'

Throughout his years on the soap, Ken has been married four times, most famously to Deidre Hunt (Anne Kirkbride), embarked on numerous affairs and been accused of murder.  

Gushing over actor William, producer Ian went on: 'Whatever you give him, even now, he's on point, He's on his dialogue, he's the most professional member of the cast.

He told The Sun: 'I don't know how many more records there are to break in that field, but I hope he breaks them all.'

Daily Mail have contacted ITV for further comment. 

Meanwhile its been confirmed Coronation Street will reveal all about newcomer Jodie's mysterious connection to Emmerdale character Graham Foster, after she was seen escaping from his clutches in shocking scenes from the Corriedale special.

The historic episode saw the residents from both Weatherfield and the Dales, brought together in a catastrophic car pile-up, with several people not making it out alive.

But the biggest shock of the night, saw the return of Andrew Scarborough as Graham, six years after he was killed off from Emmerdale.

Hiding his face under his hood for the majority of the jam-packed episode, he was seen driving a van with a tied up Jodie, played by Olivia Frances Brown, in the back.

She managed to get out of her restraints and took off running into the woods with Graham in hot pursuit, before she was thankfully found by police officer Kit Green (Jacob Roberts).

Since the crossover, Corrie fans have discovered that Jodie is none other than the sister of Shona Platt (Julia Goulding), with both women sharing the same tree tattoo.

But, the reason for why she was fleeing for her life from a seemingly back-from-the- dead Graham has yet to be revealed.

However, series producer Kate Brooks, has confirmed that viewers will get answers about Jodie's past, and why Graham had her tied up in his van.

She told The Mirror: 'We will reference what happened, we'll find out exactly why she was in that van, we'll find out what her link to Graham is.

'We'll reveal what went on between them, and how Jodie ended up running for a life and what Graham's role was in it all. It's a story that goes on to be really big as we get into spring and summer.'

Meanwhile, Emmerdale's producer Laura Shaw has said that Graham's shocking return will also cause ripples in the Dales.

In a statement she said: 'A familiar face is returning to the village full-time! None other than Graham Foster will make a sensational comeback. 

'His return will have massive repercussions for both Kim, with whom he shares a complex love and hate relationship, and Rhona, who was about to run away with him. 

'Graham will explain exactly what happened six years ago when he was “killed”, but the question will be whether Joe can ever forgive his father-figure for allowing him to believe he was dead.'