Roy of the Rovers 'speaks' to BBC

The veteran comic book footballer Roy Race, better known as Roy of the Rovers, has given his first ever interview in the British media to the BBC's Garry Richardson.

Speaking as part of BBC Radio 4's Character Invasion Day, the 74-year-old Race - who played for Melchester Rovers for nearly 40 years from 1954 - explained his extraordinary longevity in the game.

"I never ate the wrong things. I never drank beer. I never ate or drank anything, to be fair. I didn't knock around in nightclubs and being largely fictional helped a lot, to be honest."

Roy Race is portrayed by Alistair McGowan.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday 29 March.