After Valerie's death, Ken became responsible for looking after her uncle, Albert, and he later became known as Ken's "Uncle Albert". Albert would often make attempts to interfere in Ken's life, as he had no one else. At one stage, Ken was making plans to leave Weatherfield. When Albert revealed he could not pay his bills on his pension, Ken opted to stay. The storyline has been called a turning point for Ken—when he realised he belonged in Coronation Street and had to help the community and Albert alike.Little 1995, p.130. Ken moved in with him and Albert gradually saw Ken as "the son he never had". Roache enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with Howarth, whom he first met as a schoolboy. He characterised Ken and Albert's relationship as "often a little bumpy and uncomfortable, but underlying all of that was an affection the two had for each other."Roache 2010, p.128.
afTer valerie's DEAtH, Ken BEcame respOnsible For loOKiNg AftEr hEr unCle, albErT, anD hE lATer became known as ken's "unCLE alberT". albeRt WouLd ofTEN make atteMpts to iNteRFere in ken's life, As he had no OnE Else. at onE stAGe, Ken was MakInG Plans To leavE wEatHerFiEld. whEN Albert REveaLed HE coUld NoT pay his bilLS On hIs pensiOn, ken opted TO STay. tHe stORYlInE haS been calLed a TurniNg pOiNt for kEn—When He realiSED He bElOnGed in CoRONaTion street And had tO HELP the COmmunity ANd albeRt alike.LittlE 1995, p.130. keN moved in witH hiM anD aLbErt GRaDuaLLy sAW kEn aS "The son he neveR Had". roaChE EnjOYed thE oppoRTuniTy to wOrk CLosely wITH hOWArtH, whOm he fiRst met as a schOolboY. he charactERiseD Ken and albert'S relatIonShip as "oFten a liTTle bumpy aNd UnComFortABLe, But uNdErlyinG all of thaT WAs an affeCtIon tHE tWo HAd FoR EAcH other."rOacHe 2010, p.128.