Coronation Street viewers in tears over ‘very moving’ scenes as Ken Barlow leaves cobbles

'I'm not crying, you are,' one viewer wrote

Coronation Street viewers were left in tears following an emotional farewell featured in the ITV soap’s latest episode.

In Friday night’s edition (13 March), long-standing character Ken Barlow (William Roache) left the show’s titular place of residence to move into a retirement home.

Barlow will remain in the show, but he will no longer live in Weatherfield.

In moving scenes, Ken was seen saying goodbye to his dog Eccles, the border terrier his family have owned since 2006.

Ken’s mother in law Blanche officially left him the dog in her will when she passed away in 2010.

You bit me once, remember?” Barlow was shown saying to Eccles, referencing scenes from 14 years ago. “When we first met, you gave me a little nip.”

He continued: “I always think the best friendships have to be earned. I had to prove to you that you could trust me and I wouldn’t judge you when you ran away from a squirrel, or snored at the foot of the bed.”

Barlow, pondering whether he could “smuggle” Eccles into the retirement home with him, said: “This is not goodbye old girl. No, no, no this is au revoir – until we meet again.”

Viewers expressed their sadness over the scene on social media.

Roache, 80, is the longest-serving cast member, first appearing in the show’s debut episode back in 1960.