Corrie legend makes rare appearance and on-screen siblings cuddle up on the red carpet as ITV soap stars head out in force

Coronation Street legend William Roache made a rare red carpet appearance as he joined a whole host of his current and former co-stars for a night out at the theatre. The actor, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since its inception in 1960, headed to The Lowry in Salford to see Mother Goose.

The smash-hit production is starring acting royalist Ian McKellen as Mother Goose and comedian and actor John Bishop as Vic Goose, and is playing in Greater Manchester this Easter until Sunday (April 9). It has been written by Jonathan Harvey, who also writes on Corrie, and sees Mother Goose and her husband Vic run an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays.

They live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams but when a goose flies in, will fame and fortune get the better of them? Will Ma’s feathers be seriously ruffled? And Will Pa tell everyone to get stuffed? And is their fair life about to turn fowl?

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And the Corrie stars were out in force to support Jonathan as well as Lord of the Rings star Ian, who grew up in Wigan and Bolton, as he also has a soap credit to his name after guest starred in the Salford-based soap as con artist Mel Hutchinson in 2005.

Hitting the red carpet, Bill, who celebrated his 90th birthday last year, was all smiles and looked worlds away from his on-screen character as he sported a more casual look in a pair of jeans and white shirt. He was joined by Tony Maudsley and Jodie Prenger who cuddled up for the waiting camera.

West End star Jodie, who is currently playing Glenda Shuttleworth in Corrie, looked gorgeous in a red polka dot dress which she sported