MARK WRIGHT THE ONLY WAY IS PAULA’S FOR MARATHON MAN

Before Mark Wright excelled himself as master of ceremonies at the recent wedding in Majorca of his sister Jessica (right, Mark with wife Michelle Keegan and Jessica with her new husband William Lee-Kemp), he had no hesitation in saying “I do” when asked if he’d like to take part in the London Marathon this weekend.

He’s a confirmed fitness freak – as is Brassic star Michelle – but marathon running is new to the radio and TV presenter and former Crawley Town footballer. But he has been getting coaching tips and advice from three-time London Marathon winner and former world champion Paula Radcliffe.

Has anything surprised her so far about her star protégé? “The fact that he actually has an ice bath in his gym. He texted me earlier saying his legs are really hurting and asked what’s the best thing he could do. I said to get into an ice bath if you can find one, and he said: ‘Oh nice, I’ve got one of those in the gym downstairs.’ Not many people have an ice bath just sitting there, but I guess it’s because of his football training.”

As well as training together (top) earlier this year, Mark and Paula are keeping in constant contact ahead of the event on 3 October, which he is taking part in to support Flora’s Get Towns Active campaign, which encourages people to live a healthier, more active lifestyle.

He certainly has the Wright approach, says Paula. “You can already see that in how busy his life is and the number of challenges that he’s taken on.” It must run in the family, as Mark is out to beat the time set by his younger brother Josh in 2014.

For more on the campaign, visit flora.com.