The 81-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow in the soap since its launch, is charged with two counts of rape dating back to 1967.

He has previously said he will "strenuously deny the allegations and will now focus my full attention on fighting to preserve my innocence in the challenging times ahead".

"I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all those people who have offered me their support and good wishes at this difficult time," he said in a statement earlier this month.

Roache is appearing before magistrates in Preston for a routine hearing.

The world's longest-serving soap actor arrived at the court building by car and was immediately surrounded by a waiting swarm of reporters, photographers and TV cameras.

He is expected to stand trial at Preston Crown Court at a later date.

Roache was arrested by police at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on May 1, and later charged.

ITV has said in a statement that Roache will not be appearing in Coronation Street until legal proceedings have concluded.

Earlier this year Roache was attacked for comments he made on New Zealand television, in the wake of the Jimmy Savile sex scandal. He appeared to claim sex abuse victims brought it upon themselves and were being punished for sins in a past life. He later apologised for those remarks: