Joe Wicks surprises couple with combined age of 182 with personal workout
Fitness coach Joe Wicks surprised Rosie and Irvine Devitt, married 66 years and with a combined age of 182, with a personal workout in County Down.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Fitness coach Joe Wicks has surprised an elderly couple with a personal workout after they wrote to thank him for keeping them fit during the pandemic. Rosie and Irvine Devitt, from County Down, have been married for 66 years and have a combined age of 182. They have followed Joe Wicks's online workouts every week since the first Covid-19 lockdown.
In May, the couple wrote to Wicks, known as The Body Coach, to thank him for helping them stay active. Their letter inspired him to visit them in person. When he turned up at their home, Rosie was stunned. "I can't believe it," she said. Wicks told them: "You're an inspiration." He then led them through a session, praising Rosie's technique. "You're squatting deeper than most teenagers do," he said.
The couple say they keep fit with daily walks, weekly workouts with Wicks, and a salad for lunch. They also describe themselves as best friends. After the session, Irvine, who is approaching his 95th birthday, and Rosie, two years shy of 90, said they now have a reputation to keep up. Wicks said he was "blown away" by their energy and outlook on life. His message was simple: sleep more, focus on food, and have fun. The couple have gone back to their tablet to continue their routine, after a workout they will not forget.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| The couple have a combined age of 182 and have been married for 66 years. | |
| The couple have worked out weekly with Joe Wicks since the Covid-19 lockdowns. | |
| The couple wrote to Joe Wicks in May to thank him, which led to the surprise visit. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on the heartwarming surprise and the couple's enduring commitment to fitness, presenting it as an inspirational story. It highlighted Wicks's admiration for the couple and his broader message about simple, healthy habits, while also noting the setting in County Down and the couple's ages.
- “I've come to do a workout with you. How are you, Rosie? I can't believe it.”
- “You're squatting deeper than most teenagers do.”
- “It's take care of yourself. It's sleep a bit more. It's focus on the food you're eating and have fun.”
Broadcast Timeline
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