CORONATION Street star William Roache told detectives it was ‘against my nature’ to commit rape, a jury has heard .

Roache, 81, said he was ‘a very peaceful person’ who would ‘never do anything like that’.

The actor, who plays Ken Barlow in the ITV soap, was arrested and cautioned at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on May 1 last year, Preston Crown Court was told.

He was told he had been accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at his former homes in Haslingden in 1967.

The court heard the actor appeared visibly shocked and ‘consideration was given to his welfare’ as he was allowed to sit down and have a drink of water.

Detective Constable Darren Irving, interviewing him, said the complainant claimed she had been raped in two different properties by Roache.

“Well, I totally deny that,” Roache replied. “I deny that ever took place.”

Details of the second alleged rape on the same victim at a different property some time later were then put to Roache.

Roache said ‘it strikes me a little strange’ that a girl he is alleged to have raped before would go near him again.

He was asked if he could give any reason why she would make these claims.

Roache said: "The climate of what's happening at the moment, a lot of people are coming out accusing celebrities."

(Proceeding)