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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

ITV Corrie fans amazed by Ken Barlow's age as viewers complain about soap lothario's date scenes

Coronation Street saw a former couple reunited during Monday night's episode (August 1) as Wendy Papadapoulos, nee Crozier, enjoyed a dinner date with her old flame Ken Barlow. Wendy, a former Weatherfield Council secretary, famously had an affair with Ken Barlow in 1989 leading him to divorce from his late wife Deirdre.

The pair recently clapped eyes on each other for the first time in 10 years as Wendy made a return to the cobbles as Abi Webster's social worker - while fighting for custody of her baby boy Alfie after the death of his father Imran Habeeb. After a brief meeting, with an apology from Wendy for tearing apart his marriage, the pair agreed to bid a final farewell.

But this week there were signs of a potential rekindled romance as Ken approached Wendy and invited her for a coffee. At 1 Coronation Street Ken then asked Wendy to share his lasagne and told her he knows what it’s like to be lonely as he still misses Deirdre who died in 2015.

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Wendy referred to Ken and Deirdre as 'M&S fish and chips' as they dined next to her photo. Abi was delighted to hear about their date, teasing Wendy about "crazy sexual Ken tension."

Corrie fans can't get over that spritely Ken is 82, and he is almost eight years younger than actor William Roache who turned 90 in April. @JamesDawson911 tweeted about the scenes: "Ken looks nothing like his age. He's gonna go over 100 no worries."

Ken invited Wendy Papadopoulos to share his lasagne (ITV)

@CxxPIPxx said: "I see Ken, the old Casanova, hasn't lost any of his wine and dine 'em skills. Microwave lasagna for one, indeed." And @PJDavies1962 joked: "Ken 'Love Island' Barlow at your service #corrie."

Anne Hora said on the Coronation Street fan chat Facebook page: "William Roache is 90 years old. He plays the part of Ken Barlow who is 82 years old. Looking cool for your age Mr Roache." And Jane Morris wrote: "I think William Roache looks amazing for his age. Always loved him as Ken Barlow, since watching him in episode 1 of Corrie. He has had so many women 'friends'. His true love was Deirdre."

But other fans were upset to see Ken with his former mistress in the home he shared with Deirdre. @pam_debeauvoir tweeted: "Ken, Deirdre will haunt you...so think on." And @That_Girl_Allie protested: "Nooooo! Not Ken and Wendy Flamin' Crozier!"

Ken and Wendy in 2012 (ITV)

@soniast94597425 commented: "#corrie I see Wendy Crozier is worming her way into Ken’s life again. She had this planned." And @TraylorHolmes fumed: "Ken Barlow & Wendy Crozier sat in his house with Deirdre’s name in their mouths is not right #Corrie."

But @salty1980 said: "That is a such sweet, emotional and well directed scene with Ken and Wendy." And @DavidBoink said: "At least Ken's not cooking Wendy, Deidre's famous stuffed marrow. That would be too much!!!"

In 2012, then a widowed governor at Bessie Street School, Wendy attempted to rekindle her romance with Ken but he rejected her. Deirdre, who he had remarried, became suspicious that they had rekindled their affair and Wendy lied to her, saying they'd slept together.

Ken told Wendy that he didn't want to see her again and Deirdre realised that he'd been telling the truth all along. Wendy, played by Roberta Kerr, first met former journalist Ken when was the owner of the Weatherfield Recorder newspaper and they formed a bond over the disdain over council corruption.

Corrie fans were excited when she made a dramatic return last month after a judge ordered that Alfie be placed with Abi in a mother and baby foster facility to be assessed. When Abi revealed she was from Coronation Street, at first Wendy kept quiet until she was spotted and angrily confronted by Deirdre's daughter Tracy.

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