‘Ken Barlow’ removed from Madame Tussauds

The waxwork model of Coronation Street character Ken Barlow has been removed from the Madame Tussauds Blackpool display following vandalism, visitors posing inappropriately for photographs and complaints the model is still on display.

It follows 81-year-old actor Bill Roache, who has played Ken since 1960, being charged with two counts of rape.

Last month Cheshire Police charged the soap star with two counts of rape from alleged incidents dating back to April and July 1967 and involving a girl aged 15 years. Roache was bailed to appear before Magistrates in Preston next week (14th May.)

“I strenuously deny the allegations and will now focus my full attention on fighting to preserve my innocence in the challenging times ahead. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all those people who have offered me their support and good wishes at this difficult time.” – Bill Roache

All scenes recorded featuring Ken were cut out of Coronation Street following the arrest and charges.

The waxwork of Ken Barlow had sat in a Tussauds version of the famous fictional Rovers Return Inn, set in the make-believe world of Weatherfield. Now it leaves only his on-off wife Deirdre in the visitor attraction.

A spokesman told the Blackpool Gazette “We have had people taking inappropriate pictures and some people saying they think the model should not be there, and we always listen to our 
customers. Under the British justice system people are innocent until proven guilty but had to remove the figure so it did not get damaged.”

Tussauds noted the removal, done they say to protect the model from further damage – with each cost around £150,000 to create – was not down to a moral judgement and solely that financial concern. They added that the waxwork was of the fictional character and not the actor.

“It was a hard decision for us because he is a character at a moment in time and not the real person but the British public doesn’t always make that distinction and we couldn’t risk any further attacks.” – spokesperson Madame Tussards