Coronation Street legend Bill Roache has opened up about his secrets to a long life ahead of his 90th birthday next week, during an appearance on This Morning.
Bill is the longest serving TV soap star in the world after playing Ken Barlow for six decades and appeared on ITV’s This Morning ahead of his big birthday on Monday.
Sitting down on the sofa with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, Bill gave ITV viewers an insight into his lifestyle as he admitted he has no plans to retire.
He told Phillip and Holly that he practises a “positive” attitude, adding: “There’s certainly basics to life like eating enough vegetables and drinking enough water, getting enough exercise, those things.
“But I think probably the worst thing is stress. If you listen to the news and read the papers, there’s not much joy around, is there?
“If you can enjoy yourself and find the joy in whatever you do, it makes such a big difference.”
He continued: “The other thing is ageing. When you get to about 60 people ask when you’re going to retire. But if you don’t use it, you lose it, so keep going if you’re enjoying it as long as you can.”
Holly noted that Bill’s memoir pointed to continuing to learn as another secret to his unflappable work ethic.
Bill replied: “That’s true. They often ask me, ‘Do the youngsters come and ask me for advice on the street?’
“I say, ‘No, I feel I should go and ask them’, because they’re all so good and confident.
“I’ve got wonderful actos around me. I’m learning all the time and that’s what life is all about.”
Bill also told the This Morning hosts about his weekly exercise regime, with one or two Fun Fit classes.
He said: “What’s amazing about that is you’ve got five-year-olds up to me and the exercises are appropriate for everybody. It’s like playing tag at school or something.”
Holly replied: “Keeping active like that is so important and that seems to be what your life looks like. There’s no slowing down.”
A new special ITV documentary Happy Birthday Bill celebrated the actor’s 90th birthday, as well as his record-breaking stint on the cobbles.
William discussed his iconic role in the new ITV documentary Happy Birthday Bill, saying: “People will say when are you retiring? Are you going to take a break? But then what happens?
“Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
