England hero unrecognisable as muscle-flexing bodybuilder after transformation

Former England rugby skipper Phil Vickery has taken a wild turn into competitive bodybuilding and he’s smashing it.

The burly legend known as the ‘Raging Bull’, has whipped himself into serious shape after taking a personal vow to buff up. Over the weekend, the beefy World Cup champ flexed his way to a medal at the Ultimate Physiques bash in Milton Keynes, flashing his muscle medals with pride.

READ MORE: ‘I never wanted to leave Everton – but I knew the manager didn’t want me there’

Click for more of the latest rugby union news from the Daily Star

At 48-years-old, the winner of Celebrity MasterChef back in 2011 has been sweating buckets at Severnside Gym in Gloucester, grafting hard for months. Updating his legion of loyal followers, Vickery has spilled the beans on his gruelling beefcake-building antics, confessing: “It’s been an interesting journey full of highs and lows.”

Vickery made 73 appearances for England in a 12-year international stint between 1998 and 2010 and was forced to retire from Rugby after suffering from several neck injuries. He has since coached and worked as a commentator on various England games, reports the Mirror.

Does Phil Vickery make a good bodybuilder? Let us know in the comments section below

The former bulldozing Gloucester prop played all seven games for England as they won the 2003 World Cup over hosts Australia. He was knocking on the door of 20st at his heaviest during his ball carrying and scrummaging days.

In an interview earlier this year, he explained how he had the idea over two years ago because he wanted to be in the best shape of his life for the 20th anniversary of the Rugby World Cup win. He also thanked his supporters for the “friendship, positive energy and smiles and thumbs up at 5am doing cardio in the freezing cold”.

Matt Dawson, his former team-mate from their glory days, was one of many friends to congratulate Vickery, posting on X: “Go on, Vix! Congrats, pal.”