21 April 2023 , 14:16
959
0
Dick Van Dyke is about to embark on a career-first after bagging his first ever role on a soap opera.
The 97-year-old Hollywood icon will guest-star on Days of Our Lives, with his episode airing on Peacock later this year.
Dick will be playing "a mystery man with amnesia" and will star alongside NBC actress Deidre Hall and his pal Drake Hogestyn.
The actor explained how his friend actually helped him to secure the role, saying: "Drake and I actually went to the same gym together.
"I used to kid him, 'Say do you ever have any parts for old people? Come on, give me a part'."
Dick Van Dyke, 97, leaves Nicole Scherzinger in tears with Masked Singer outing
Luckily for Dick, his persistence paid off.
Dick Van Dyke has landed a new role (Getty Images)
He will guest-star on Days of Our Lives (Getty Images)"He took me seriously. He got me a part," the Mary Poppins star told Access Hollywood.
He added: "I have played old men before, but comedy old men. First time I ever just played my 97-year-old self."
Dick has been watching episodes of Days of Our Lives to make sure he is fully clued up on the programme.
"I started watching and some of those people have been doing it for 20 years. That's about all the homework I could do was watch one and see how they did it."
The actor is well-known for his role in Mary Poppins (MARY POPPINS)After hearing the news of Dick's new role, fans quickly took to Twitter to share their joy at the news.
"I am way too excited about Dick Van Dyke guest starring on #Days," one person wrote.
Another said: "It will be amazing to see #DickVanDyke on #DOOL," while a third fan tweeted: "Can’t wait to see him on Days!"
"The legendary #Dickvandyke will be making an appearance on #DaysofOurLives! Thank you @DrakeHogestyn for helping many of us to revisit our childhood memories," someone else commented.
Dick is well-known for his role on Mary Poppins and has enjoyed a highly successful career since.
Dark Dick Van Dyke tragedy that nearly killed him and curse of Mary Poppins cast
The actor recently took part in The Masked Singer and was unmasked as Gnome on the show.
His show-stopping performance on the programme even reduced judge Nicole Scherzinger to tears as she she said it was "an honour" to watch him perform on the show.