Joe Smith (swimmer)

Joseph "Joe" Smith is the oldest British citizen to swim the English Channel. He was born in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1933, the 8th out of 9 children. After unsuccessful attempts in 1961 and 1962, he finally achieved a crossing in September 1999 in a time of 14 hours 9 minutes at the age of 65. Cyril Smith, MP for Rochdale at the time, took a huge interest in the event and funded part of it. Married to Marlene, his biggest fan! Now lives in Deal, Kent and still swims daily. He carried the Olympic Torch through Deal, Kent in 2012.