Man of 107 has a World Cup message for England
BBCA war veteran celebrating his 107th birthday has a message for the England football team as they go up against Argentina in the semi-final of the World Cup: "Just score the goals".
Joe Slyper, who was born in Bow, east London in 1919, is marking his impressive lifespan with a party and a card from King Charles.
A lifelong Tottenham Hotspur supporter, Joe wished the team well, and called England captain Harry Kane, a former Spurs striker, "a fantastic guy".
In more than a century he has lived through the Second World War and seen five monarchs and 23 prime ministers, from David Lloyd George to Sir Keir Starmer.
"I remember when we had gaslight before electricity came on stream," he said.
Joe, who now resides at Hammerson House care home in north London, served in the Army during the war and married his wife, Rose, while home on a short spell of leave.
"I had three day's leave to come home from the Army to get married," he said.
"Came home on Friday, got married on Sunday and back to camp on Monday."
The couple were married for 70 years until Rose died.
His daughter Anne Barnett, 73, said the lessons he had passed down were timeless.
"Always kindness, do for others before you do for yourself," she said.
"Always do the right thing. I've taught that to my children as well."
Joe has two children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His son-in-law, Wayne, said he was young at heart.
"He looks more like 85 as opposed to 107, and acts accordingly," he said. "He's had an amazing life."
Asked how he felt about his birthday party, Joe joked "I wish they'd leave me alone".
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