Coronation Street veteran Bill Roache said he 'knows how birds feel' after jumping out of a plane with Flookburgh-based Skydive Northwest.

The actor, who is currently the longest-ever serving soap actor, took on the challenge to raise money for Stride for Truth. 

Roache turned 91 just a matter of weeks before the adrenaline-filled activity.

Speaking on Friday's episode of ITV's Lorraine he promised viewers to take the plunge and duly delivered in Monday's show.

The clip shows Roache getting ready for the jump as he says he is 'feeling all over the place but predominantly feels excitement'. The clip shows him getting his suit on before leaping out with his guide. 

As he descends, the song 'I want to get away' by Lenny Kravitz plays and viewers take in spectacular scenes of the Cumbria and Lancashire countryside.

After he lands, the veteran said: "Your breath is taken away, you can't breathe and it's quite startling, but once you send the parachute out, you see glorious views and it's lovely."

He then added: "I know how birds feel now - I need a cup of tea."

Age is just a number to the actor who has seen six decades on Coronation Street. Before the dive, the 91-year-old said he was desperate for a little adventure.

“You should do what you enjoy doing," he said "As you get older, people bring chairs and say sit down, take it easy.

"No, if you don’t use it, you lose it."

Daredevils who choose to take the plunge with Sky Dive North West, based at Cark Airfield, leap from 15,000ft and reach a speed of about 120 mph. A tandem skydive requires only a few minutes of training but is the safest and most popular choice for first-time skydivers.

The instructor flies and lands the parachute, leaving divers to relax and enjoy stunning views of the Lake District.

Not just content with holding an MBE and being in the Guinness Book of Records, Mr Roache wants to be the first centurian who is still cast in an ongoing drama.

The dad-of-five believes exercise and a healthy diet is the key to a long life.