‘I don’t believe this’: Beloved entertainer Dick Van Dyke makes history with latest honour

Entertainment icon Dick Van Dyke has made history by becoming the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy at the remarkable age of 98.

Van Dyke received the accolade for his guest performance as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on the long running soap opera Days of Our Lives.

“I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” he said as he received the honour.

“I’m 98 years old. Can you believe it? This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business. If I had known I would have lived this long I would’ve taken better care of myself.”

The Mary Poppins star received a standing ovation as he took to the stage, accompanied by his wife, Arlene, who held the trophy for him.

“I brought this lady up because she was also on the show,” he told the audience.

“She played the cop who arrested me.”

Van Dyke has previously won four Primetime Emmys, including three in the 1960s for his classic comedy series The Dick Van Dyke Show.

In addition to holding the honour of being the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy, Van Dyke continues to defy the conventional boundaries of age, showcasing an unwavering spirit while ensuring he remains the picture of health and longevity well into old age.

In a previous interview, Van Dyke attributed his longevity to his adoring wife who he tied the knot with in 2012.

Speaking with Yahoo, Van Dyke was asked for the secret to his “energy and joy”.

“Genes, I guess, for one thing. Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me — that works!” Van Dyke said.

He also revealed the other element that keeps him energetic and fit with age.

“I still go to the gym three days a week and work out. And I advise everybody to do that because that’s what ages people — it’s just a stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and their lungs,” he said.

“Exercise is the answer.”

Van Dyke offered fans a sneak peek into his exercise routine during a prior appearance on CBS This Morning which he credited with helping him stay active in addition to ageing well.

“I’m 95, and a lot of my friends won’t do these,” Van Dyke told viewers, as he showed off his workout routine.

“So all you old guys out there, listen to me, I’m telling you, you can keep going for a long [time].

“George Burns made it, and I’m gonna do it too.”

-with AP.