Johnny Vegas celebrity bowls event to return to Ruskin Drive

When and what is taking place?

The event will once again take place from 1pm, organised by The Steve Prescott Foundation, along with Woolyback Productions.

Titled, the Barton’s Pickles Johnny Vegas Celebrity Bowls, entrants will compete for the Lol Pennington Memorial Cup.

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The contest has become an annual event in memory of Laurence 'Lol' Pennington, the late dad of Thatto Heath comedian and actor Johnny Vegas, who passed away in 2017.

Who will be there?

Sixteen celebrities from the worlds of showbiz and rugby league, will team up with members of the public, who have bid to play with their favourite stars in a Twitter auction.

Among those to be in attendance will be former Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati, Car Share star Sian Gibson, and actress and Loose Women regular Sherrie Hewson.

Johnny, with Jude Riordan at last year's event

Former footballer Peter Reid and ex-Saints rugby league stars including Chris Joynt, Paul Loughlin, Neil Holding, Tommy Martyn, Alan Hunte, and current scrumhalf Lewis Dodd will be among those taking to the green.

There will also be a special showdown between young St Helens stars from the world of entertainment Jude Riordan and Jamie Leahey. 

Here is the FULL DRAW for the @bartonspickles @JohnnyVegasReal Celeb Bowls for the #LolPeningtonMemorialCup Starts 12.30 at @WicketStHelens
Small Donation on Entry (Raid the Settee) to @SPFCHARITY Fun For All the Family! And don’t forget @JudeRiordan v @JamieLeahey01 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/SpFeLocvsn

— Steve Prescott MBE (@StevePrescott1) August 11, 2022

A great line-up

Ahead of the event, Johnny said: “I am delighted that once along we can renew rivalries that we never knew existed in memory of my father!

“We have a great line up with more entertainment for all including the After Party.

“It is also the time to remember the great man Steve Prescott and continue his great legacy! 

“This year, we are giving every community or charitable group within the borough of St Helens the opportunity to promote their cause by allowing them free space around the Cricket Pitch for them to bring a gazebo or stall!

“We feel it’s vital for everyone in St Helens to know what’s going on and hope the Barton’s Pickles JV Bowls will be a perfect vehicle to highlight all the great and good happening within our amazing town”

“The Barton’s Pickles JV Celeb Bowls is a free to enter event with family fun for all. A donation on entry will go towards The Steve Prescott Foundation; only the After Party has an entrance fee of £10.”

Paul Whitehouse was among the celebrity names at Ruskin during the 2021 event

Martin Blondel from the Steve Prescott Foundation said: “We would like to thank Johnny Vegas, Woolyback Productions and Barton’s Pickles for once again supporting the SPF during these tough times.

“We can promise the general public that this will be a family fun filled day!

“We have the fantastic Face2Face Agency, Ponts Fun Fair with kids rides and inflatables, the 99th Garrison with Star Wars Characters, Donkey Rides along with CBEEBIES Mega Star Hacker T Dog plus lots on more to entertainment for all.

“St Helens finest vocalist Tom Loughlin and Haydock Brass Band will provide a carnival atmosphere whilst the bowls are in play!”

A sold-out 'after bowls' party will be held later in the day, staged in the Percival Suite, will have include a host of artists.

St Helens based musical talent Ash Welding, Jack Bennett and The Bathtub Gin Band will be joined by folk singer Amelia Coburn and UK tribute The SouthMartins!

The evening will be hosted by Tom Loughlin who will also entertain with songs from stage and theatre.