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."
