AN 80-year-old jousting champion and Age UK ambassador has proved he is still young at heart by appearing in a hip-hop video – where he’s seen tap dancing on the Cleveland Way.

Alan Beattie’s spirit and zest for life recently lead to him being chosen to feature in a national television campaign for Age UK, to encourage older people to make the most of later life.

The campaign shows him leading one of his popular dance classes for Age UK in Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Mr Beattie is also a former international champion in medieval jousting and several years ago travelled to New Zealand to appear in jousting scenes in the Lord of the Rings.

A former lecturer in physical education and psychology for Middlesbrough Education service and a former lecturer at Teesside Tertiary College, he learnt many of his jousting skills from an ex-cavalry sergeant.

In his younger years he was an unarmed combat and jungle survival specialist in the RAF.

Now the Octogenarian has broken new ground by appearing in the video by London-based artist Ludovic Vickers. The video sees him tap dancing down local streets near his Thirsk home and joyfully dancing on the North York Moors.

Ludovic, also known as The Spectre, wrote the song and shot the video. The short film shows an elderly man struggling with life after being widowed and shows him gradually regaining his spirit again through dancing.

“I was originally inspired to do it by my grandparents and the health issues which can put a dampener on positivity in later life,” he said.

“I wanted something that would have that contrast between the difficulty of everyday life and what makes you feel good about everyday life. I thought the best way to do that was through dance.”

He then began to search for older dancers and discovered Mr Beattie.

Much of the footage was filmed on locations around the dancer's home, including at a community hall in Bedale and on the North York Moors near Sutton Bank.

“The film is about doing what makes you happy even when there’s adversity; to take pleasure in the small things,” said Ludovic.

He said Mr Beattie proved the perfect person to demonstrate the film’s message.

“I don’t think I’ve ever really known someone who is so positive,” said Ludovic.

“It was hard to get him to look afraid and weak and vulnerable; they’re emotions he’s clearly not in tune with as he’s always positive and active. He’s a great person.”

To see the video visit www.thenorthernecho.co.uk