Norman Wisdom hits the Street
Norman Wisdom is joining the cast of TV’s Coronation Street.
The 89-year-old actor will appear in a cameo role as sprightly pensioner Ernie Crabbe.
Ernie turns up in the ITV soap when he buys an exercise bike from Jack Duckworth.
A Street spokeswoman said: “The storyline begins when Fred Elliott invests in an exercise bike so he can lose some pounds in time for the arrival of his Thai bride.
“But he soon realises it’s too mammoth a task and sells it to the Duckworths.
“Vera is determined to get Jack fit and devises a gruelling exercise regime for him.
“But Jack would much rather be in the pub than pedalling so he puts it up for sale.”
The buyer is Ernie Crabbe, who Jack meets through his local bowling club.
And the pensioner turns out to be a fitness fanatic despite his advancing years.
The episode will be broadcast at the end of June and Street bosses are delighted with their new signing, who is a long-time fan of the soap.
“It is an honour to have Sir Norman on the show and his cameo will be great fun,” the spokeswoman said.
Wisdom, currently appearing in ITV’s All Star Comedy Show, is the latest star to take a cameo role in the Street.
Phoenix Nights star Peter Kay appeared in the show earlier this year as luckless drayman Eric Gartside.
