William Roache has been part of Coronation Street since the very first episode, in December 1960, when he first appeared playing the character of Ken Barlow. In 50 Years on the Street: My Life with Ken Barlow , Roache reflects on half a century of treasured memories accumulated during his time working on the long-running soap. He revisits the programme's most memorable moments and ponders the secret of its success while exploring the history of the show from its very early days of live broadcasts to the demands of the Street 's schedule in 2010. Roache reveals what it is like to have played the perennially popular role of Ken Barlow over the decades and reflects upon the actors he has worked with during the past 50 years, using his unique perspective to provide insights and anecdotes galore. 50 Years on the Street: My Life with Ken Barlow is a celebration of William Roache's acting career in a year that marks a very special anniversary both for him and for Coronation Street .