<P> Early episodes told the story of student Kenneth Barlow ( William Roache ) , who had won a place at university , and thus found his working - class background - as well as his parents , Frank and Ida ( Frank Pemberton and Noel Dyson ) - something of an embarrassment . The character was one of the few to have experienced life outside of Coronation Street . In some ways this predicts the growth of globalisation , and the decline of similar communities . In an episode from 1961 , Barlow declares : `` You ca n't go on just thinking about your own street these days . We 're living with people on the other side of the world . There 's more to worry about than Elsie Tanner and her boyfriends . '' Roache is the only remaining member of the original cast , which makes him the longest - serving actor in Coronation Street , and in British and global soap history . </P>
<P> Early episodes told the story of student Kenneth Barlow ( William Roache ) , who had won a place at university , and thus found his working - class background - as well as his parents , Frank and Ida ( Frank Pemberton and Noel Dyson ) - something of an embarrassment . The character was one of the few to have experienced life outside of Coronation Street . In some ways this predicts the growth of globalisation , and the decline of similar communities . In an episode from 1961 , Barlow declares : `` You ca n't go on just thinking about your own street these days . We 're living with people on the other side of the world . There 's more to worry about than Elsie Tanner and her boyfriends . '' Roache is the only remaining member of the original cast , which makes him the longest - serving actor in Coronation Street , and in British and global soap history . </P>
who has appeared in the most episodes of coronation street
who has appeared in the most episodes of coronation street
Kenneth Barlow ( William Roache )
Kenneth Barlow ( William Roache )