Heroes on tap

Smashing up cars, falling from buildings and jumping into rivers were just routine events for the couple pulling pints at a popular Stalybridge pub.

Barry and Ann Turner moved in as the new tenants of the White House on Market Street in early August 1969 - revealing that they would also be continuing their careers as stunt actors in countless films and TV dramas.

It was a job that demanded nerves of steel, but both freely admitted being terrified to watch the other in action.

Ann, 26, told our reporter: “You become a believer in fate and a sense of devilment overcomes you, compelling you into experiencing it over and over again.”

Originally from Oldham, the former trapeze artist with Bertram Mills Circus met Barry - who was then a sword fencer - while travelling. Following their marriage, they turned to stunt performing.

Ann’s first part was in Disney’s first suspense film The Moonspinners, when she had to fall 50ft from a revolving windmill. Since then she had appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and jumped 52ft from a moving carriage into a river in Where Eagles Dare.

Her funniest role was in Casino Royale for which she spent eight weeks swinging on chandeliers as Mata Hari, sliding down bannisters and spreading foam over the cast.

Barry, 28, specialised in judo and wrestling and stood in for the main actors where fight scenes needed to look more realistic. He had driven cars at breakneck speed and crashed them in popular TV thrillers The Saint and The Baron.

The couple had a two year old daughter Wendy Lee, who could already ride a pony and enjoyed playing on a mini trapeze in the pub lounge.