Ken Barlow icon William Roache will turn 90 next week and viewers of a special programme dedicated to his career on Tuesday have issued the same demand.
Happy Birthday Bill tells the story of the soap star's legendary life in showbiz as he celebrates the milestone birthday. William has played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since the very first episode of the ITV show in 1960.
He has been a mainstay on the Cobbles ever since and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving television star in a continuous role. William was reunited with his first on screen wife, Anne Reid, on the special programme - and opened up on the many secrets to his long career.
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Fellow Corrie stars appeared on the show to praise their co-star. Kate Ford, who plays his on screen daughter Tracy Barlow said: "He's just cool". Carla Connor star Alison King said: "He never gets a word wrong, ever".
Other celebrity friends of his also put in an appearance. TV personality Paul O'Grady said: "The man is 90, and he's got hair like Rapunzel!".
Within minutes of the show beginning, fans took to social media to make the same demand. Many thought he should receive a knighthood for his long-spanning career.
Twitter user Alan Wiggins said: "The sooner William Roache gets a knighthood the better". Jon Dexter said: "Bill Roache should have a knighthood".
Michelle Whyte said: "Nooo why is he not Sir Bill?!"
Happy Birthday Bill is available on the ITV Hub
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