Movie legend Dick Van Dyke has made the frank admission that he "could go any day now" as he approaches his 99th birthday.

The actor - known for films such as Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bye Bye Birdie - reaches the landmark birthday on Friday, December 13.

Asked by a paparazzo if he had any plans for the day, he joked: "Just praying that I make it."

In quotes reported by The Mirror, he said: "I'm acutely aware that I, you know, could go any day now, but I don't know why it doesn't concern me. I'm not afraid of it. I have that feeling, totally against anything intellectual, that I'm gonna be alright.

"I think I'm one of those lucky people who got to do for a living what I would have done anyway. When you think how lucky I am, I got to do what I do - play and act silly."

In September Van Dyke pulled out of a planned appearance at the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, with a spokesperson saying that it was "more than he is able to do at this time".