Image

Celebrity Match

In another exciting instalment added to our jam-packed championship schedule, our all-star Friday night fiesta will feature a star-studded our wheelchair rugby Celebrity Match!

The two teams will go head-to-head on Friday 5th May at 5.30pm, right before GB’s final pool game against Denmark. The celebrities will be hosted in the President’s Lounge after their match as part of the ‘Celebrity Match Reception’ hospitality package – the ideal way to round off the working week with drinks, street food and the best seats in the house.

Find out more about the event here, or keep reading to discover your all-star teams!

Team Wales

Image

Jim Roberts MBE

GBWR Paralympic Champion

Jim Roberts made his GB Wheelchair rugby debut at the European Championships in 2013.
Scoring 24 tries at Tokyo 2020, Jim was part of the historic moment Great Britain won their first ever Paralympic gold medal.

Image

Dai Llewellyn

Former WRU player

Dai Llewellyn is a former WRU Wales international rugby player and the father of Love Island-er Liam Llewellyn.
The scrumhalf was scouted by Ebbw Vale before joining Newport. Dai won four caps for Wales between 1998 and 1999, scoring a try in the 1999 World Cup.

Image

Mathew Pritchard

Chef and Dirty Sanchez star

Mathew Pritchard is a celebrity chef, professional skateboarder, and stunt performer. Appearing on Dirty Sanchez, Balls of Steel, and Wrecked, he then went on to host the first BBC vegan cook show, Dirty Vegan in 2019.

Image

Mike "Pancho" Locke

Dirty Sanchez star

Mike Locke is a professional stuntman and second half of the comedy stunt duo Dirty Sanchez. Mike has also appeared in the Channel 4 series Balls of Steel as one half of the "Pain Men" - ouch!

Image

Wynne Evans

Singer/presenter

An opera singer for 25 years and the familiar voice of Go Compare adverts, Wynne Evans is testing his skills in Wheelchair rugby. Performing on the ‘pitch’ instead of at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Wynne is not to be missed in this exciting celebrity match.

Image

Lily Rice

 Paralympic Swimmer

Lily Rice is a Welsh/GB Paralympic swimmer, Commonwealth Medallist and 2019 Women’s WCMX World Champion. The 19-year-old is the first European female to land a wheelchair backflip.

Image

Liam Llewellyn

Love Islander

23-year-old Welsh student Liam Llewellyn is known for his stint on Love Island last year and is in the all-star line-up for our celebrity match. Although he felt he wasn’t giving ‘100% Liam’ in the reality TV show, he’ll definitely be giving it 100% in the game!

Image
Look out for more announcements incoming!

Team England
Image

Kylie Grimes MBE

GBWR Paralympic Champion

Kylie is a wheelchair rugby powerhouse, having played the sport since 2008. She competed as part of the gold-medal winning Great Britain team at the Toyko 2020 Paralympic games, and was awarded an MBE in 2022.

Image

Ed Jackson

Former Rugby Union player and broadcaster

In 2017 a spinal injury not only put an end to Ed's professional rugby career but left him fighting for his life. However, this hasn't stopped his ambitions, as Ed is now an adventurer, charity founder, broadcaster, speaker, author, brand ambassador and mentor.

Image

Nathalie McGloin

Racing Driver

Racer, speaker, and ambassador - Nathalie McGloin is the only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world. In 2015 she became the first female with a spinal injury to be granted a racing licence in the UK.

Image

Tristan Phipps

Made In Chelsea star

Nature-lover Tristan Phipps is no stranger to the TV screen, joining reality show Made in Chelsea in series 16. Before joining the MIC cast, Tristan was a former safari guide working at Kruger National Park, South Africa.



Image

Ellie Simmonds OBE

Paralympic Swimmer

Winner of five Paralympic gold medals, Ellie Simmonds is one of GB's most famous Paralympians - earning her first gold at just 13 years old at the Beijing 2008 games! Following a retirement in 2021, Ellie is now a charity patron, ambassador, and even took part as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing!

Image

Katherine Grainger DBE

Former Rower; Chair of UK Sport

Dame Katherine Grainger DBE is a British former rower and current Chair of UK Sport. Her rowing career saw her win gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics! She is also a four-time Olympic silver medallist and six-time World Champion - phew!

Image

David McIntosh

Actor and fitness model

You might know David better by the name Tornado, following his 'spin' on Sky 1's Gladiators. Since then, David has made appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Ex on the Beach, alongside his work as a fitness model.

Image
Look out for more announcements incoming!