Bill Roache all smiles with girlfriend Emma Jesson at Corrie charity photo auction

 He is the only member of the original cast and during his tenure Ken Barlow has had three wives and 24 lovers. 

But as he attended a Coronation Street charity bash last night actor William Roache,78, had eyes for one woman.As he arrived at a charity event at the Generation Pop Art gallery in Manchester Bill was joined by 42-year-old girlfriend Emma Jesson.

The couple appeared happy and relaxed as shared a joke and walked arm-in-arm to the charity auction. 

And the smiles were set to stay all night as Bill’s portrait – part of a selection of Corrie characters commissioned as part of the shows 50th anniversary celebrations – was sold for the highest price. 

The pictures, taken by photographer Rob Evans, raised over £9,000 for Coronation Street's 50th anniversary appeal.