Coronation Street legend Ken Barlow is believed to be overcome with health woes after he takes a nasty fall down a flight of stairs in upcoming episodes.
Bill Roache, 92, who has played the character for 64 years, will take a serious tumble on the soap which will lead to him needing a carer, according to the Sun.
The new storyline will reportedly mean that Bill will be able to boost his earnings as actors on the ITV soap are paid per episode.
But the character's health woes has sparked concern that this could be the beginning of the end for Ken.
A TV source told the publication: 'It's going to knock the wind out of him.
Coronation Street legend Ken Barlow is believed to be over come with health woes after he is believed to take a nasty fall in upcoming episodes
Cobbles veteran Bill Roache, 92, who has played the character for 64 years, will take a serious tumble down the stairs which will lead to him needing a carer, according to the Sun
'Bosses are also hoping it will highlight the plight of older people and the care they need from family members when something like this happens.
'And of course it gives Bill a much needed lifeline with all his financial problems.
Finances are a sore topic for Bill because while heearns a reported £250,000 a year playing Ken on the long-running soap, he has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman.
He entered an agreement in 2018to clear the £588,015.18 bill, but according to reports in February he has only paid £41,666.65 so far.
Bill is looking to sell off some property to clear the debt with The Sun reporting in February a prospective buyer had pulled out of a deal.
The High Court has now given him a 12-week adjournment in order to 'allow for the sale of property'.
Bill did not appear at a specialist hearing, where lawyers for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said the sum the actor owes - which was not disclosed in court - has been reduced due to payments made.
Jacquille Jarrett, for HMRC, said Mr Roache had asked for a 12-week adjournment, which was unopposed, to 'allow for the sale of property'.
The new storyline also means that Bill will be able to boost his earnings as actors on the ITV soap are paid per episode
Retired Insolvency and Companies Court judge Stephen Baister granted the adjournment and said Roache's case will return in June.
'Splendid,' Dr Baister said at the end of the hearing, which lasted less than a minute, at the High Court in London.
Bill is best known for his portrayal of Ken Barlow in the ITV soap for more than 60 years after making his debut in its first episode in 1960.
The actor, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving TV soap star in the world, was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity.
In February, friends from Bill's spiritual group claimed he was 'doing fine' as he 'faces bankruptcy' for a second time, according toThe Mirror.
At a Stride for Truth group meeting, one member said they were '100% supporting' Bill.
The organisation, which strives for world peace and enlightenment, meets in a room above a foot clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.
Bill, who is now the highest paid member of the cast, earning around £250k a year, 'owes the taxman nearly £550,000'.
The Sun published his six-figure debt, just weeks after it was revealed he's facing bankruptcy for a second time.
Finances are a sore topic for Bill because while he earns a reported £250,000 a year playing Ken on the long-running soap, he has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman
He entered an agreement in 2018 to clear the £588,015.18 bill, but according to reports in February he has only paid £41,666.65 so far
Bill initially owed £588,015.18 and entered a 2018 agreement to clear it, but the High Court papers obtained by the publication claim he has only paid £41,666.65.
He had until February to pay the full amount of £546,348.53, and now faces a High Court battle in March.
Bill's interest payments come to £14,699, while he also faces late-payment fines of more than £8,000, which are both included in the total.
A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the Mirror: 'We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. Bill has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much loved member of the cast.'
