Coxon is in training for a 84km walk through the Sahara Desert that will raise money for Cancer Research Wales.

He signed up for the challenge on the day of the memorial service for the late BPIF chief executive Kathy Woodward. “I was inspired to get off my fat backside and make a difference, no matter how small, and raise some much needed funds in the battle against cancer.

“My wife is worried, my kids think I’m having a crisis but quite simply I want to do something which will help raise a few eyebrows, put myself out for a few days and raise some money for a great, great cause.”

He’s also given up alcohol (except for one day off to celebrate England’s recent victory against the Welsh at the Millennium Stadium) and has been training on the sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr, possibly a little chillier than the Sahara, where it is typically a scorchio 30+ degrees.

Darren’s off to the desert on 7 March. Show your support by sponsoring him at www.justgiving.com/darren-coxon.