TELEVISION presenter Vernon Kay enjoyed an “oar”some training session when he found himself in the same boat as many other famous faces to train for the first Celebrity Boat Race.

The broadcaster joined a host of stars from at the banks of the River Thames to take to water as they prepare to make history on the day of the Cancer Research UK Boat Races.

New pictures have been released showing the two teams of celebrities pulling together learning the skills to take on the river

The two teams, coached by Sir Steve Redgrave and James Cracknell OBE, are made up of television personalities, presenters, comedians, ex-Olympians and former Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Club rowers.

Vernon will be in a boat coached by 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 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.

Two-time Olympic rowing champion and Celebrity Boat Race team member, Helen Glover said: “I’ve loved today.

“While I’m really hoping my team will win, it’s been a great opportunity to be a part of the whole experience, and an honour to ‘Pull Together’ for Cancer Research UK.” The celebrity boat race will take place ahead of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on April 2.