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Ken Barlow's lovers on Coronation Street

Ken has had a chequered love live on Corrie

Of all the Coronation Street characters Ken Barlow has arguably had the most chequered love life.

Weatherfield ladies man Ken has dated numerous women and been married four times to three women.

He married Valerie Tatlock in 1962, who was killed by an electric shock at home, Janet Reid in 1972 and Deirdre Hunt in 1981 and again in 2005.

And the street patriarch has fathered four children Lawrence, Susan, Peter Barlow and Daniel, and not forgetting his adopted daughter Tracy Barlow.

Of all his relationships, his love for Deirdre has been the most enduring and her adultery with his enemy Mike Baldwin captivated the nation in 1983.

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Ken and Deidre on their wedding day in 1981(Image: ITV)

Bookish and classical music-loving Ken then shocked viewers by having an affair with his colleague at the Weatherfield Recorder Wendy Crozier, which finally led to their divorce.

In 1994 he had a relationship with hairdresser Denise Osbourne who fathered their son Daniel.

Ken remained close friends with Deirdre and they were reunited in 1999, encouraged by her mum Blanche.

But the former teacher and newspaper editor strayed again in 2009 with Martha Fraser played by Stephanie Beacham, who lived on a canal barge. He planned a life on the water with Martha but he returned to Deirdre and admitted his affair.

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Ken and Deirdre - one of the street's most-loved couples

And she forgave him because of her own fling with corner shop boss Dev.

In return he later forgave her for kissing suave Lewis Archer played by Nigel Havers and they agreed to stick together.

Tragically Deidre died in 2015.

She was expected home on her 60th birthday but instead her friend Bev Unwin showed up and broke the news to Ken, Tracy, and best friend Liz that Deirdre had passed away that morning.

In 2019 he formed a romantic relationship with glam hair stylist Claudia Colby, after insisting at first that they were just good friends.

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Ken and Wendy(Image: ITV)

Here is a list of Ken Barlow's girlfriends and love interests since the first show in 1960...

1961 Marion Lund librarian (she turned out to be engaged)

1961 1971 Valerie Tatlock first wife (died, mother of son Peter)

1964 Pip Mistral exotic dancer (she turned him down)

1966 Jackie Marsh reporter (affair)

1971 Yvonne Chappell receptionist (turned down his proposal)

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Ken, Valerie and their twins Susan and Peter(Image: Granada Television)

1972 1973 Norma Ford shop assistant (used her, he didnt love her)

1973 Elaine Perkins graduate (fell for her, she didnt love him)

1973 Rita Littlewood (fling)

1973 1974 Janet Reid second wife (suicide)

1974 Gaynor Burton (got physical during a party)

1974 Peggy Barton unionist (resisted having an affair)

1976 Wendy Nightingale graduate (she was married)

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Ken and Alma(Image: ITV)

1978 Sally Robinson chiropodist (dated briefly)

1979 Deirdre Hunt (dated and then married twice)

1981 Sonia Price yoga instructor (one date)

1984 Sally Waterman secretary (passionate kiss but no affair)

1989 1990 Wendy Crozier secretary (affair)

1991 Alma Sedgewick caf owner (relationship)

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Ken and Denise with their son Daniel(Image: ITV)

1992 1993 Maggie Redman florist (mother of Mikes son Mark)

1994 1996 Denise Osbourne stylist (mother of Kens son Daniel)

1997 Sue Jeffers headmistress (fling after a row with Deirdre)

2002 Anita Scott Historical Society chair (turned her down)

2009 Martha Fraser actress (affair)

2019 Claudia Colby hairdresser

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