Jenny Ryan made an edgy joke about Coronation Street's Ken Barlow (Image: ITV) READ MORE "Three decades of edgy humour and counting." Ken is played by William Roache, who appeared in the very first episode of Corrie back in December 1960. Jenny's remarks referenced the Weatherfield stalwart's struggles during the early 1990s. He attempted to kill himself after struggling with his divorce from wife Deirdre (portrayed by Anne Kirkbride). Jenny Ryan revealed what she'd said on Twitter (Image: TWITTER) William Roache has played Coronation Street's Ken Barlow since the very first episode (Image: GETTY) Festive TV highlights (Image: EXPRESS) It came about after his affair with Wendy Crozier (Roberta Kerr), his colleague at the local newspaper.