Actor and car enthusiast Idris Elba has broken an 88-year speed record called the “flying mile”.
It was originally set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in 1927 at Pendine Sands in south Wales but the actor and DJ beat it while filming a new TV series.
He achieved an average speed of 180.361mph during the attempt in his Bentley Continental GT Speed compared to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 174.8mph in his Napier-Campbell Blue Bird.
The record was verified by the UK Timing Association.
On breaking the record Elba, who famously played Stringer Bell in the hit TV series ‘The Wire’ said: “I’m absolutely elated to have broken the flying mile at Pendine Sands.
“It’s an honour to have taken on the challenge and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell.”
The star has been filming a four-part series called Idris Elba: No Limits, for the Discovery Channel.
The programme has also seen him try his hand at drag racing, rally driving and “aerobatics”.
