Look who’s treading the boards

ON the Oldham cobbles . . . actor William Roache approaches the Coliseum

What would Dierdre say about this, Ken?

“Coronation Street” stars swapped Weatherfield for Oldham this week when the Coliseum became a backdrop for the popular ITV soap.

A Granada TV crew lined Fairbottom Street to film actor William Roache — who was shooting some of his first scenes since the death of his wife Sara last month.

His on-screen character, Ken Barlow, recently began an illicit relationship with eccentric theatre actress Martha Fraser, played by Stephanie Beacham.

The Coliseum’s entrance and foyer became part of the set for the gripping undercover liaison.

Cast and crew were sworn to secrecy about the storyline, but the Coliseum was told that it is a very important scene between the two.

The Coliseum has been scouted recently for several other shows, including a drama featuring John Thompson.

Last week, the BBC visited the historic venue to look at using the auditorium for a new drama series.

Press officer Rachael Sneddon said: “The Coliseum has proved popular with location scouts in the past. The red seats and intimacy of the auditorium are exactly what comes to mind when picturing a traditional theatre.

“It’s exciting to be involved with such an institution as ‘Coronation Street’, but we will just have to wait and see how the storyline between the two characters unfolds.”

It will be at least six weeks before viewers find out if the romance undermines Ken’s tempestuous relationship with wife Dierdre, played by Oldham-born Anne Kirkbride.