Former Premier League footballer Adam Johnson has sought the help of television personality Katie Price to help promote his image after his release from prison for child sex offences.

Johnson was freed from HMP Moorland on Friday after serving half of his six-year prison term, and his family are now taking advice from Price as he begins the long road toward reviving his career.

Price, the former model, has been a close friend of Johnson’s sister, Faye, for at least three years and is understood to be assisting the family. Johnson is said to have been advised on where to appear publicly for photographers and there are suggestions the 31-year-old may consider reality television.

Pictures are understood to have been arranged this week, with Johnson visiting the grave of Dale Roberts, a former classmate and team-mate who took his own life in 2010.

When contacted on Tuesday, a representative of Price said the only connection is that Price has known the family for years, particularly the mother and the sister, as they all own horses.