London - The actor who plays Sesame Street’s Big Bird has revealed he narrowly avoided dying in the Challenger shuttle disaster.
Caroll Spinney said he had been due to go into orbit as the character in 1986 to help renew children’s interest in space flight. But when his giant yellow suit would not fit inside the craft Nasa scrapped the idea, according to a documentary.
Challenger exploded soon after take-off, killing all seven crew members – including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe who was selected in Mr Spinney’s place.
The actor, 81, first appeared on Sesame Street 46 years ago and has played Big Bird ever since. His 44-year-old apprentice Matt Vogel has been waiting to take over the role for 17 years, the documentary reveals.
It also claims Mr Spinney shares an ancestor with President Barack Obama, making them ninth cousins twice removed. - Daily Mail