Comedian Eddie Izzard is the latest celebrity to back Sunderland’s host city bid for the 2018 World Cup should England win the rights to the tournament.

The 47-year-old was in the North East as part of his 31 date UK tour and was keen to visit Sunderland’s Academy of Light where he met chairman Niall Quinn and the club’s head of medicine.

Izzard rediscovered his passion for sport last year after completing an amazing feat of 43 marathons in 51 days to raise money for Sport Relief.

He said: “These facilities are superb, I cannot believe how much goes on behind the scenes here. I love visiting the north east because of the people and it would be great to see the World Cup come to England.”

Niall Quinn also commented: “I went to see Eddie perform and he was fantastic. If we get the World Cup to Sunderland he will have to come and help make it a great party!”