Bill Roache doesn’t like "big parties" and isn’t interested in making "small talk" at bashes.
The 87-year-old star – who plays Ken Barlow on the soap – has hinted he leaves the ‘Coronation Street’ Christmas party early, because he prefers to get his beauty sleep in for the busy week ahead.
Speaking to the Sunday People newspaper’s Love Sunday magazine, Bill confessed: "I don’t particularly like big parties.
"It’s nice to have a get-together although I don’t stay for that long. I like to get eight hours’ sleep and wake refreshed in the morning."
The soap star also admitted he is not a big fan of "small talk", partly because his hearing "isn’t great".
He continued: "I’m not interested in making small talk, either – especially as my hearing isn’t great."
And the ITV veteran doesn’t intend to get very merry with alcohol over the festive period because he insists he doesn’t drink apart from the odd glass on a "special occasion".
He said: "Barring the occasional glass of champagne or wine on special occasions, I don’t drink alcohol."
Instead, Bill is determined to have a peaceful Christmas with his family – daughter Verity, 38, and sons Will, 34, and Linus, 55, – in Notting Hill.
But the actor isn’t expecting any gifts under the tree this year as he "doesn’t need anything".
Bill added: "There’s nothing I need, nothing I specifically want. Although new clothes would be nice … and my children usually get me something I’d never even though of but actually love."
But the party pooper does remember his most treasured gift he once received on Christmas Day.
He explained: "When I was 18. I was desperate for a motorbike but my parents were against it. I remember looking under the tree on Christmas Day for a present for me but there was nothing there.
"Then my parents led me outside and there was a motorbike parked up with a big ribbon on it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was so excited."
Bill Roache doesn’t like ‘big parties’
