Coronation Street fans have been left in disbelief as legendary actor Bill Roache revealed the results of his recent skydive. The star, famed for playing Ken Barlow since the first-ever episode of the ITV soap, took to the skies on Sunday (June 11) as part of a fundraising effort.
Bill, who turned 91 in April, took on the daredevil activity in order to raise money for community causes and homelessness alongside 83-year-old Ann Rogers
Their efforts were revealed last week on an episode of ITV's Lorraine. He explained: “I’m doing a skydive on Sunday morning. It’s for community causes and we help the homeless as well.” Roving showbiz reporter Ria Hebden, who was in Salford at Coronation Street's new exhibition, was gobsmacked as she asked: "It’s wonderful. I mean, some people might say, 'What’s he thinking? He’s 91.'"
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But Bill had the perfect response for any naysayers, hitting back: “Well I don’t believe you should acknowledge your age. You should do what you enjoy doing. As you get older, people bring chairs and say sit down, take it easy… No! If you don’t use it, you lose it."
And following the skydive on Monday, the show's host Lorraine Kelly was in awe as she gave viewers an update. In a clip recorded for the show, ITV viewers watched as Bill leapt from a plane with his guide.
Before that, he was heard joking that he’d be jumping out of an aeroplane "hopefully with a parachute on" and an instructor with him before he admitted that his feelings were ‘all over the place’. He added: "But one dominant one is excitement," as he was shown practising how to position his body during the skydive while lying on the floor.
The star, who holds the record for being the longe-serving soap star, was then seen all smiles as he soared through the air before his guide’s parachute cushioned them to the ground. Speaking to the camera after his jump, Bill admitted: "Your breath’s taken away, it’s kind of amazing. You can’t breathe and it’s quite startling."
He went on: "But then when you send the - the parachute opens and you see that glorious view, that’s lovely. You just slow it down, you know how birds feel, it’s really wonderful." Bill added: "I’m ready for a cup of tea," before he made his way off the landing site.
But the move came as a shock to some viewers. @jadecjordan1 tweeted: "There’s no way on this world bill roach is 91 not having it. #lorraine." @soaps_extra tweeted: “Congratulations to Bill Roache on his skydive on Sunday. #Corrie." @THEJohnMcNee cheered: "Corrie's own Ken Barlow jumping out a plane! Go on, Bill!" @_ifib added: "William Roache doesn't look 91. #lorraine #corrie."
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