Editing Ken Barlow (section)

===Family===
[[File:Chris Gascoyne.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Chris Gascoyne plays Ken's son Peter Barlow.]]Ken was disdainful of his parents, Frank (Pemberton) and Ida (Dyson).<ref name="P15"/> Their strained familial relationship was apparent from his very first scene, in which conflict arose over his reluctance to eat a meal with brown sauce. Roache called it "good character-defining stuff", which established the antagonism between Ken and his father, borne from Ken's snobbery and desire to abandon his roots.<ref name="Sauce">[[#refMyLife|Roache 2010]], p.53.</ref> The death of his mother further illuminated the father-son relationship. Roache recalls that, "although their relationship could often be stormy, with Ken's views and attitude rubbing Frank up the wrong way on a number of issues, the fact was that they had been thrown together by her death and they had to get used to living with each other without the buffer that Ida had often provided."<ref>[[#refMyLife|Roache 2010]], pp.65–66.</ref> While Dyson left the series under her own volition, Pemberton later became one of several cast members fired under Aspinall's tenure as producer. By 1984, both of Ken's parents had left the Street.<ref>[[#refMyLife|Roache 2010]], pp.75–78.</ref> Ken was originally intended to have a sister named Enid. Warren decided against her inclusion, and instead created a younger brother, professional footballer David (Rothwell), to enable the show to represent teenage males.<ref name="P15">[[#refEgan|Egan 2010]], pp.15–16.</ref> Rothwell feels that an "underlying antagonism" existed between Ken and David, which stemmed from the fact Ken had the advantage of a university education, while his brother did not.<ref>[[#refEgan|Egan 2010]], p.25.</ref>

Ken was bored with looking after the children, Peter and Susan, before Valerie's death. Afterwards, further problems occurred and Ken was no longer able to cope.<ref name=scotsman/> The writers were initially uncertain whether to continue with Ken as a single father, or dispatch the children and pursue a less-encumbered lifestyle.<ref name="P107">[[#refMyLife|Roache 2010]], p.107</ref> Roache said, "Ken tried to bring up the kids on his own, but he wasn't doing so good. So he sent them up to Glasgow to live with his mother-in-law." Ken still remained in contact; Roache recalled Ken often saying: "Right, I'm off to Scotland.'"<ref name="scotsman">{{cite web|last=Ramaswamy|first=Chitra|title=Interview: Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, aka William Roache|url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Interview-Coronation-Streets-Ken-Barlow.6650744.jp?articlepage=2|work=[[The Scotsman]]|publisher=([[Johnston Press]])|access-date=30 April 2011|date=7 December 2010<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yKdDL8AM?url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Interview-Coronation-Streets-Ken-Barlow.6650744.jp?articlepage%3D2-->}}</ref> Roache has suggested that the subsequent problems in his children's adulthood were Ken's fault: "I blame Ken for how they've all turned out. He shoved his kids up in Scotland, didn't really look after them. But you don't want a happy family in the Street. You want a wonderful dysfunctional one like the one I've got, they're great and Deirdre is wonderful."<ref name="thisisnottingham"/> The animosity between Ken and his children has been explored throughout the programme's duration. [[Chris Gascoyne]], who took on the role of Peter in the 2000s, has suggested that there is a lot of tension between Ken and Peter due to the dysfunctional nature of the Barlow family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Barlow a bad dad? Now that's a surprise |url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/soaps/coronation-street/interviews/peter-barlow-a-bad-dad-now-thats-a-surprise/4306 |work=[[What's on TV]] |date=31 October 2008 |access-date=30 April 2011<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yX06Fyz8?url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/soaps/coronation-street/interviews/peter-barlow-a-bad-dad-now-thats-a-surprise/4306--> |archive-date=2 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902162937/http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/soaps/coronation-street/interviews/peter-barlow-a-bad-dad-now-thats-a-surprise/4306 |url-status=live }}</ref> Guilt over the twins' upbringing led Ken to dote on his youngest son, Daniel, as he was keen to avoid repeating his past mistakes. Their close relationship resulted in Roache challenging the series producers when a script required Ken to allow Daniel to be taken away by his mother. The actor felt that Ken would not accept this; he would fight. The scriptwriters apologised, but it was too late to re-write the plot.<ref>[[#refMyLife|Roache 2010]], pp.189–190.</ref>

After Valerie's death, Ken became responsible for looking after her uncle, Albert, and he later became known as Ken's "Uncle Albert".<ref name=uncc>{{cite web |title=Holland's Pies create Coronation Street-themed products |url=http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/news/7985140.Holland_s_Pies_create_Coronation_Street_themed_products/ |url-status=live |work=Chorley Citizen |publisher=[[Newsquest]] |date=5 April 2010 |access-date=8 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723033426/http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/news/7985140.Holland_s_Pies_create_Coronation_Street_themed_products/ |archive-date=23 July 2011}}</ref> Albert would often make attempts to interfere in Ken's life, as he had no one else. At one stage, Ken was making plans to leave Weatherfield. When Albert revealed he could not pay his bills on his pension, Ken opted to stay. The storyline has been called a turning point for Ken—when he realised he belonged in ''Coronation Street'' and had to help the community and Albert alike.<ref>[[#refLittle|Little 1995]], p.130.</ref> Ken moved in with him and Albert gradually saw Ken as "the son he never had".<ref name=vmeds>{{cite web|title=The original Coronation Street cast|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/top-tv-shows/coronation-street/original-corrie-cast.php?ssid=4|work=[[Virgin Media]]|access-date=8 May 2011|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208063410/http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/top-tv-shows/coronation-street/original-corrie-cast.php?ssid=4|url-status=live|archive-date=8 December 2010}}</ref> Roache enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with Howarth, whom he first met as a schoolboy. He characterised Ken and Albert's relationship as "often a little bumpy and uncomfortable, but underlying all of that was an affection the two had for each other."<ref>[[#refMyLife|Roache 2010]], p.128.</ref>

Ken had a largely antagonistic relationship with his "acid-tongued" mother-in-law Blanche, Deirdre's mother, who has been described as a "thorn in Ken's side".<ref name=blanchest>{{cite web|last=Wright|first=Mark|title=Maggie Jones 1934–2009|url=http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2009/12/maggie-jones-1934-2009/|work=[[The Stage]] |access-date=3 May 2011|date=3 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614192355/http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2009/12/maggie-jones-1934-2009/|archive-date=14 June 2012}}</ref> She would criticise his looks, and on one occasion she accused him of being homosexual.<ref name=tvnzz>{{cite web |title=Coronation Street actress dies |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/coronation-street-actress-dies-3223595 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Television New Zealand]] |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921041304/http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/coronation-street-actress-dies-3223595 |archive-date=21 September 2011}}</ref> When Ken's affair with Martha was exposed, Blanche took her comments too far: she tormented Deirdre for staying with him, which resulted in her being thrown out of the Barlow household and forced to live with Peter.<ref name=throws>{{cite web |title=Corrie's Blanche moving in with Peter|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2009/0409/coronationstreet.html |url-status=live |publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] |date=9 April 2009 |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005082503/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2009/0409/coronationstreet.html |archive-date=5 October 2012}}</ref> However, she was seen as "the glue" of the Barlow family in the modern era, holding them together.<ref name=walonline/> Blanche was willing to put her wit aside and fight to ensure that Ken and Deirdre stayed together,<ref name=walonline>{{cite web |last=Mainwaring |first=Rachel |title='Honour' to write farewell for Corrie's Blanche|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2010/05/10/honour-to-write-farewell-for-corrie-s-blanche-91466-26410671/ |url-status=live |work=[[South Wales Echo]] |date=9 May 2010 |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014021817/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2010/05/10/honour-to-write-farewell-for-corrie-s-blanche-91466-26410671/|archive-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> although most of the time, she interfered in his life.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |title=Maggie Jones: 'I don't find Blanche funny' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a181300/maggie-jones-i-dont-find-blanche-funny.html |publisher=Digital Spy |date=9 October 2009 |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024000907/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a181300/maggie-jones-i-dont-find-blanche-funny.html |url-status=live |archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> Even in death, Blanche managed to make a final remark aimed at Ken, through her will. The storyline was described as giving her the chance to have "the last laugh".<ref name=lastlaugh>{{cite web |last=Disley |first=Jan |title=Coronation Street: Blanche Hunt has a last laugh with her will |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2010/03/01/blanche-has-a-last-laugh-in-telly-will-115875-22077254/ |url-status=live |work=Daily Mirror |date=1 March 2010 |access-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212074929/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2010/03/01/blanche-has-a-last-laugh-in-telly-will-115875-22077254/ |archive-date=12 February 2011}}</ref>

In 2010, it was announced that Roache's own children, Linus and James, would be joining the cast. They played his long-lost son and grandson, respectively.<ref name="mircha">{{cite web |title=Roache sons join Coronation Street |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2010/05/25/roache-sons-join-coronation-street-115875-22285006/ |work=Daily Mirror |date=25 May 2010 |access-date=30 April 2011<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yKZGMMTx?url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2010/05/25/roache-sons-join-coronation-street-115875-22285006/-->}}</ref> In the storyline, Ken finds a letter which discloses he had a secret son with a short-term girlfriend. Roache said he looked forward "immensely" to working with his children during the fiftieth-anniversary year.<ref name="handsome">{{cite web |last=Millar |first=Paul |title=Bill Roache lauds "handsome" Corrie sons |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a264140/bill-roache-lauds-handsome-corrie-sons.html |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=30 April 2011 |date=19 August 2010<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yKZdeAbz?url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a264140/bill-roache-lauds-handsome-corrie-sons.html-->}}</ref> The reunion was short-lived due to a rift between Lawrence and James. Lawrence was a bigot who could not accept that the fact James was homosexual. The producers decided to run the storyline to highlight the fact homophobia still exists. Gay rights activists approved of the storyline because the producers showed both sides of the issue. On-screen, Ken was opposed to Lawrence's views and decided to embrace James' sexuality. He urged him to be true to himself and ignore his father's bigoted views. Lawrence does not agree with Ken's liberal stance.<ref name="homophobic">{{cite web |last=Wise |first=Jon |title=Coronation Street's most controversial scenes ever |url=http://www.people.co.uk/celebs-tv/tv/2010/07/04/coronation-street-s-most-controversial-scenes-ever-102039-22379978/ |work=The People |date=4 July 2010 |access-date=30 April 2011<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yKach09g?url=http://www.people.co.uk/celebs-tv/tv/2010/07/04/coronation-street-s-most-controversial-scenes-ever-102039-22379978/-->}}</ref> In 2011, James returned to stay with Ken.<ref name="jreturn">{{cite web |last=Eames |first=Tom |title=James Roache to return to Corrie |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a294228/james-roache-to-return-to-corrie.html |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=30 April 2011 |date=20 December 2010<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yKYcz8P6?url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a294228/james-roache-to-return-to-corrie.html--> |archive-date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510073044/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a294228/james-roache-to-return-to-corrie.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ken was grateful for the chance to get to know him better. Ken sees James as his "intellectual match", and has a lot of respect for him because he is a "well-educated, erudite young man". He became carried away and moved him in because Ken has always "longed for intelligent conversation".<ref name="femfirst">{{cite web |title=Ken Barlow meets his match |url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/Ken+Barlow-60584.html |work=Female First |publisher=First Active Media |access-date=30 April 2011 |date=22 April 2011<!--archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5yKXNM1At?url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/Ken%2BBarlow-60584.html--> |archive-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013183819/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/Ken%20Barlow-60584.html |url-status=live }}</ref>