BOLTON broadcaster Vernon Kay will be one of the famous faces sticking his oar in for the inaugural Celebrity Boat Race.

The radio and television presenter will join a host of stars from the worlds of sport and entertainment for a new addition to the historic Boat Races.

Vernon will be in a boat coached by James Cracknell, alongside Sophie Raworth, Andrew Triggs Hodge, James Fox, Rebecca Adlington, Emma Spruce, Gethin Jones and Ore Oduba, with Zoe Lyons as cox.

The other boat, coached by Sir Steve Redgrave, will include Dan Walker, Helen Glover , Dan Snow, Michelle Ackerley, George Nash, Jodie Kidd, Harry Judd and Mark Watson, with Zoe De Toledo as cox.

Vernon, who presents his own show on Radio X and is the host of ITV’s All Star Family Fortunes, is now in training with his fellow contestants ahead of the race in April.

Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover said: “This is the sport I adore and train really hard for, so to see so many people experiencing it for the first time has been incredible.

“I think Race Day is going to be hilarious.

“With so many big characters and competitive celebrities in each boat, who knows what will happen.”

This year will be the 163rd men’s race and 72nd women’s race, both of which now raise awareness for Cancer Research UK.

In a bid to boost further support for the charity, organisers are also launching social media campaign, PullTogether, and are encouraging the nation to have a go themselves by taking part in The Great Row.

The event will be broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday, April 2.