Paddy Doherty says he’d ‘love to fight’ Mark Wright
The former Celebrity Big Brother winner has recalled an encounter with Mark Wright at the BAFTAs and said he would relish stepping into the ring with the former TOWIE star, while also revealing his autobiography is being adapted into a film.
Paddy Doherty has challenged Mark Wright to a celebrity boxing match.
Claiming he would knock out the former The Only Way Is Essex star in the opening round after a meeting more than a decade ago left a lasting impression, Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy, 67, said he still considers Mark, 39, “cocky and arrogant” – while also naming reality TV regular Calum Best as another celebrity he would be willing to face in the ring.
Paddy made the comments in an interview with The Sun while discussing his background as a former bare-knuckle boxer and revealing that his autobiography, Hard Knocks and Soft Spots, is being adapted into a feature film.
Paddy said: “I would love to fight Calum Best.
“And I’d love to fight the fella out of Essex, he’s really cocky and arrogant. Mark Wright.
“I would love to fight Mark Wright, he’s a cocky arrogant, above himself, I’d love me and him in the ring.
“I’m a lot older than him but I guarantee I’d knock him out in the first round.”
Paddy said his opinion of Mark dates back to the 2011 BAFTA Awards, when Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and The Only Way Is Essex were both nominated in the YouTube Audience Award category.
The ITV reality series ultimately won the prize, but Paddy recalled meeting Mark during the ceremony.
He said: “I met him at the awards, at the Baftas.
“He wasn’t rude to me I wouldn’t let him be, not in a million years, but he had that look, like look at me. You get it on, I’ll do it!
“And Calum Best I worked with him.”
Paddy later appeared alongside Calum Best on RTÉ’s Celebrity Bainisteoir in 2012, where they served as rival celebrity team managers before later collaborating on an independent film and short project.
Paddy, who rose to prominence on Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings before winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2011, said an actor has already been cast to portray him.
Meanwhile, Mark remains one of the best-known names to emerge from ITV’s The Only Way Is Essex, going on to build a presenting career on programmes including Heart FM and The Challenge UK.
Mark has also remained in the spotlight in recent months through his family life with actress Michelle Keegan, following the couple’s announcement they had welcomed their first child earlier this year.
Mark found fame as one of the original cast members of The Only Way Is Essex when the reality series debuted in 2010.
He left after the third series in 2011 but has since established a television and radio career.
Paddy became a household name through Big Fat Gypsy Weddings before winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2011.
The television personality released his autobiography, Hard Knocks and Soft Spots, the following year, chronicling his life as an Irish Traveller, his experience as a bare-knuckle boxer and his rise to television fame.
Discussing the forthcoming adaptation, Paddy confirmed he is involved in the project but declined to reveal who will portray him on screen.
He told The Sun: “It is yeah, it’s happening now. I’m not allowed to say, but it’s going through it now. Yes I am involved.
“A geezer has been cast as me, he’s a good actor, but I’ve not met him yet. I can’t say who it is. And I forget things fast!”
