(Photo: Getty Images)
William Roache, the actor who has played Ken Barlow in U.K. TV soap opera Coronation Street for more than 60 years, has just turned 90 years of age. To mark his milestone birthday, we're making him our latest British Icon of the Week. Here are 10 things we admire and appreciate about this tireless performer.
1. He is officially the world's longest-serving TV soap star.
Roache's continuous portrayal of Ken Barlow since Coronation Street debuted in 1960 has earned him a place in Guinness World Records.

2. He doesn't take himself too seriously. 
When British comedian Harry Hill wrote "Ken," a spoof tribute song about Roache's Corrie character, he gamely appeared in the video.

3. He is a proud military man.
Roache served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers branch of the British Army from 1953 to 1956, acquiring the rank of Captain. He told Wiltshire Farm Foods a couple years ago that he decided to join the army "to fulfil the family honor" when he realized he wouldn't be following in his father and grandfather's footsteps by becoming a doctor.
4. He has twice been honored by Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2001, Roache was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Then earlier this year, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), which is a level up in the British honors system.
During his recent ITV tribute show Happy Birthday Bill, he revealed that he has met Queen Elizabeth II on no fewer than eight occasions over the years. The photo below shows the British monarch meeting Roache and co-stars Barbara Knox, Sue Nicholls and Helen Worth on the Coronation Street set last year.

(Photo: Getty Images)
5. He is very loyal to his co-stars.
A case in point: Roache's beautiful tribute to actress Anne Kirkbride, who passed in 2015 after playing Ken's on-off love interest (and eventual wife) Deirdre Barlow for more than 40 years.

6. He has a remarkably positive attitude to getting older.
During an appearance on U.K. daytime show Loose Women, Roache revealed that he focuses on the fact his body's cells are constantly rejuvenating rather than thinking about "deteriorating" as he ages. He also revealed that he believes in the positive effects of meditation. 

7. He is a terrific sport.
Would Roache pretend to punch fellow guests on a panel show to send up his nice guy image? Of course he would.

8. He has passed on a love of acting to his family.
His son Linus Roache is a prolific actor whom you may know as David Wellington in Homeland, Ecbert of Wessex in Vikings, and Michael Cutter in Law and Order. He has also made a few guest appearances opposite his father in Coronation Street, from 1973-1975 and then again in 2010.

9. Despite his status as the elder statesman of Coronation Street, he has definitely stayed modest.
Asked for the secret to his enduring success, Roache told ITV recently: "I suppose I always feel like I'm learning. You know, people ask me if the younger ones ask me for advice and I say no, they're all so good and confident that I feel I should ask them. I always feel I'm still growing up. I never feel grown up in life anyway. And then I've always got things to learn. Working with people like Chris Gascoyne [who plays Ken's son Peter Barlow] and so many other members of the cast is so good. It's such a privilege."
10. He has no plans to retire just yet. 
As ITV reports, Roache broached the topic during his tribute show Happy Birthday Bill. "People will say when are you retiring? Are you going to take a break? But then what happens?" the actor recaps. "Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organization that is happy to have me."
Do you have a favorite memory of watching William Roache on Coronation Street?