Paddy McGuinness says he’s “dragging out” celebrations for his 50th birthday as he spends time with old mates from Bolton.

The Bolton-born actor and TV presenter has been celebrating the milestone event with friends throughout August, and has been spending time with pals from the years before he found fame and fortune. 

The telly star used to work at Horwich Leisure Centre and previously told how he was scared to leave his job there to take a gamble on the world of showbiz. 

Paddy, who is reportedly “looking for love” following his recent split with wife, Christine, kicked off his birthday festivities with a surprise party hosted by friends.

Posting a reel on Instagram, Paddy’s mates sang him Happy Birthday, presenting him with a battenburg cake adorned with a ’50 candle’.

In the caption, Paddy wrote: “I’m really dragging these birthday celebrations out! A few old mates from my Bolton leisure services days treated me to a trip up Ben Nevis.

“We walked, we swam, we drank!”

Earlier this month, Paddy’s ex-wife Christine ‘spilt the tea’ as to her whereabouts on the big day, on August 14.

The model and television personality revealed she had bought a birthday cake, presents and made cards with the couple’s children.

The couple are separated but continue to share the family home with their three children.

While celebrating his 50th Paddy is also preparing for the launch of his new Channel 4 show Don’t Look Down, in which six brave stars learn to tight-rope walk on a high wire tutored by the world’s foremost experts in high wire walking.

Paddy McGuinness hosts the series alongside leading a team of well-known personalities who will attend a summer training camp in the Austrian Alps