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A COMEDIAN has joined the ranks of stars to have backed Widnes Vikings’ Magic Weekend fundraising charity initiative.

Phoenix Nights star and Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness has given the Widnes Vikings Magic Weekend shirt his backing for the showcase rugby league spectacle at the end of May.

The comedian pledged his support during a break from filming his new Channel 4 quizshow, Benchmark, by posting a picture of him holding the shirt and tweeting: “Great work @WidnesRL over 10k raised so far for the SBRFoundation.”

The Super League club has so far raised more than £10,000 through the shirt sales and all profits will be donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which was set up by the former England manager in 2008.

Sir Bobby – who also managed Barcelona and his own beloved Newcastle United during his football managerial career – died in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer for the fifth time in his life.

Vikings director Brian O’Connor said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Vikings fundraising efforts in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation have reached a milestone five figure amount.

“Thanks to Paddy and the other high-profile endorsements we have received we have already raised over £10,000 with plenty of time remaining to further increase this figure. I would like to thank each of our supporters who have purchased a shirt to date for their contribution and would remind supporters who have not yet purchased a special edition Magic Weekend shirt that only orders placed prior to May 1 will be guaranteed delivery or will be available for collection prior to the Magic Weekend.”

The Vikings will wear the shirt during the opening game of the 2015 First Utility Magic Weekend when they play Salford Red Devils at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Paddy himself donned a playing shirt at the stadium for Sir Bobby when he took part in a charity football match supporting the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2009.

Supporters are being advised to pre-order before Friday, May 1, due to the shirts being manufactured to order because of the nature of the charity initiative.

Other celebrities to have posed with the shirt include former Spice Girl Mel C and comedian John Bishop.