Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness back Manchester’s bid for England 2018

Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuiness have pledged their support for Manchester's bid to be a host city in an England 2018 World Cup bid.

The stars were in Bolton for a special broadcast of Vernon's weekly Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 1. The show was presented from St Gregory's Social Club - better known as the setting of the TV comedy 'Phoenix Nights'.

Vernon Kay, BBC Radio 1 presenter, said: "Greater Manchester is the home of football with some of the best teams in the country, including the mighty Bolton. There's great stadiums for a World Cup and brilliant supporters too. I think they'd make anybody feel welcome and I just couldn't imagine a World Cup in England without Manchester getting involved."

Paddy McGuiness, stand up comedian and star of Phoenix Nights, said: "All of the best teams are in the Northwest so of course Manchester would be a good place for it".

Bolton comedian Peter Kay who was once quoted as saying he was 'mentally scarred by playing football as a child', was still kind enough to hold up the scarf.

To pledge your own support for Manchester - and also have the chance of winning a pair of VIP match day tickets, please visit www.manchesterworldsport.com