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Jimi Hendrix ‘religiously’ watched Coronation Street

Jimi Hendrix "religiously" watched ‘Coronation Street’ when he lived in the UK.

The legendary musician used to tune into the ITV soap of an evening, according to his ex-girlfriend Kathy Etchingham, who was interviewed by author Philip Norman for his new book, ‘Wild Thing’, which marks the 50th anniversary of Jimi’s death, aged 27 in 1970.

The iconic guitarist is said to have initially struggled with the ‘Corrie’ characters’ northern twang when he first watched episodes about the goings on in the fictional town of Weatherfield, but he grew to love the likes of Ena Sharples (Violet Carson) and Minnie Caldwell (Margot Bryant).

According to the Daily Star newspaper, the book says: "The soap’s northern idiom was at first too impenetrable but he soon became involved with its characters.

"Especially arch-gossips Ena Sharples, Minnie Caldwell and Martha Longhurst, always to be found in the Rovers’ back bar sipping stout and eviscerating their neighbours like a coven of witches in hairnets."

As well as being a big ‘Corrie’ fan, Jimi developed a penchant for other "northern delicacies", such as black pudding and mushy peas.

The book adds: "He discovered the north of England’s friendliness, honesty and joie-de-vivre – and grew familiar with such northern delicacies as black pudding, mushy peas and ‘scratchings’."

Jimi is not the only famous US musician to be a big fan of the cobbles.

Katy Perry previously admitted she loves to tune into ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Coronation Street’ when she is on tour in the UK.

She said: "I am obsessed with this country. I fall in love with the English very easily.

"I like to watch ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘EastEnders’.

"I have spent so much time in the UK … from writing songs in Surrey to going to Topshop for the very first time."