Frank Rothwell: Atlantic rower passes finish line despite snooze

Frank Rothwell said he had spoken to his wife Judith twice a day over the phone during his voyage

A man completed an arduous row across the Atlantic ocean despite falling asleep and briefly drifting off course.

Frank Rothwell was tackling the Canary Islands to Antigua row for a second time to raise £1m for Alzheimer's Research UK.

The 73-year-old, who set off on 12 December, sparked concern when he appeared to be off track earlier.

But a post on his X page confirmed he was fine and had been asleep.

"He is correcting his course ready to arrive later on," the post on social media added.

But all was forgotten when he was reunited with his wife Judith.

"I haven't seen her for nine weeks although we spoke twice a day on the phone and I couldn't wait to see her," he said.

The Oldham Athletic Chairman, who bought the club in July 2022, previously said the charity was close to his heart after his brother-in-law died with Alzheimer's aged 62.

He also lost his best friend to the disease last year.

So far, Mr Rothwell, who is currently the oldest man to complete the challenge in February 2021, has raised more than £250,000 during this charity challenge for Alzheimer's Research UK.