Coronation Street veteran Bill Roache has said that he was moved to tears by a private video message from Sir Ian McKellen to mark his 90th birthday - which is next week.
The actor, 89, - best known for playing Ken Barlow on the soap - said the words came when the Lord of the Rings star, 82, voiced an ITV documentary for the occasion.
Roache commented: "It was a lovely surprise. What he said actually brought tears to my eyes because he's such a kind man. And I was so touched by that message."
McKellen joined Corrie for a brief stint in 2005, taking on the role of author Mel Hutchwright, who befriended Emily Bishop, played by Eileen Derbyshire, 90, on the show.
Roache revealed that despite having been on the soap for 60 years, he is still learning - which he believes is the secret to his successful career - including from McKellen.
He explained recently: "For someone like Ian McKellen to come into the Street, that was a wonderful opportunity to learn from him. I'm learning all the time."
"That keeps you young. If I became complacent or say, 'I've done 60 years I know it all now' that would not be right," the actor further commented about his experience.
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The new documentary - titled Happy Birthday Bill - will show him reunite with former co-star Anne Reid, 86, who played his on-screen wife Valerie Barlow from 1961 to 1971.
Roache recently said that meeting up with Reid after all those years was a highlight of the one-off special, with him describing their reunion as a "lovely moment."
Speaking about the special broadcast, he said: "It was very nostalgic." It will also see him revisit the first barracks that he stayed in during his military career in the 1950s.
And the actor has revealed that he is still not ready to quit Corrie, despite his age. He said: "Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring."
Happy Birthday Bill is on ITV tomorrow night at 8pm.
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