British actor William Roache, 81, has been arrested over allegations of raping a 15-year-old girl in the 1960's.
The "Coronation Street" star is facing two charges of rape and was arrested in his home in Northwest England, the Brisbane Time reported.
Prosecutor Nazir Afzal said after considering all the evidence gathered by the Lancashire Police regarding Roache's rape allegations, police concluded it was enough to officially charge him.
"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967," Afzal said.
In March the 81-year-old actor apologized for appearing to suggest child sex offenders should get anonymity. Last year Roache said in an interview he's had sexual encounters with over a 1,000 women.
The makers of "Coronation Street", Broadcaster ITV, announced Roache would not appear in the the soap opera while the investigation continues. The actor has been a member of the cast since the it began in December 9, 1960.
Guinness World Records listed the soap as the world's longest-running soap opera in September 2010, and Roache as the longest-serving soap actor.
