I'm a Celebrity heart-throb Vernon Kay on keeping fit at 48 as he returns to his home town Bolton

Bolton’s own Vernon Kay was part of a special welcome reception as the Rugby League World Cup trophy arrived at Bolton’s Albert Halls. The Radio 2 broadcaster and This Morning presenter was among an array of rugby stars and sporting professionals to welcome the World Cup to his home town.

The I'm A Celebrity star, who shot to fame on Channel Four's T4 in the early noughties, was thrilled to be back in the historic town hall, and in the mayor's parlour where he worked as a cleaner for the council after graduating from Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan University.

The 48-year-old father-of-two, who is married to Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, was joined by the winning teams from the Festivals of Rugby League, the council’s deputy leader, Coun Hilary Fairclough and newly appointed chief executive, Sue Johnson, ahead of the England men's team taking on France at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday October 22 as one of only a few select towns to host a Rugby League World Cup event.

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Bolton-born TV presenter and I’m A Celeb star Vernon Kay said: “Getting young people involved in sports is so important – and it’s great to see my hometown of Bolton doing everything they can to encourage the younger generation of people to embrace rugby league.”

He added: “It’s an exciting time for Bolton and I’m proud to come from a town that champions its local community. It’s great that we’re getting the chance to host an international sporting event of this size – and just goes to show that as a town we have so much to offer.”

Vernon, who attended St Joseph's School in Horwich, has a lifelong passion for American