Mark Wright reveals his family and best friends have coronavirus – and urges fans to stay safe
MARK Wright has revealed his family and best friends have been struck down with coronavirus - and has urged his fans to stay safe.
The radio presenter warned the new mutant variation of the virus should be taken seriously after many people he knows have contracted the illness.
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He wrote on Twitter: "The Government have of course explained how fast this new variant is spreading, but I think it is hard to understand quite how fast.
"I cannot stress how many people I know, from immediate family to best friends and distant friends who currently have covid. It’s rife. Stay safe."
The new strain is wreaking havoc in London and the south east and is over 50 per cent more infectious.
People with the mutant variant are 54 per cent more likely to pass it on to others, according to Public Health England.
Despite being more contagious, the strain does not appear to cause worse symptoms or more deaths.
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Mark's stark warning comes days before the launch of his and brother Josh's new fitness app.
The siblings are in the condition of their lives and practising what they preach, as they look to take subscribers on a fitness journey.
The app, which is available from January 10, will include an intial rollout of 100 videos that will be continually added to.
And there is something for everyone with HIIT, boxing, yoga, core, and weights all covered.
Fitness mad Mark has extra motivation for staying in shape having recently realised a dream by signing a professional football contract with Crawley Town at the age of 33.
A club source told The Sun: "Mark trained with Crawley all summer, and has been a hit with both players and management.
"He's got no airs and graces, and just got stuck in from the word go.
"He is now match fit, and has really found his stride - he's a great signing."
After starting out with Southend United, Mark played part-time, non-League football before joining Towie in 2010.
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The following year he appeared in I'm A Celebrity, coming second to Dougie Poynter in 2011.
Mark - who has also represented England in various Soccer Aid celebrity teams - played against Championship side Reading in a pre-season friendly.
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He recently told Crawley’s YouTube channel: “I love playing football, it’s my number one passion."