Celebrity Cup: Lee Mack and Ioan Gruffudd among Stars added to Line-Up

The teams have been finalised for this year’s Celebrity Cup presented by Bulmers with Hollywood star Ioan Gruffudd and comedian Lee Mack among those winning call-ups.

Mack, who stars in sitcom Not Going Out, will make his debut for Team England in the fun-packed international tournament at the Celtic Manor Resort on 8th-9th July.

He said: “I’m delighted to be called up to represent my country in the Celebrity Cup. I have not been this happy since my Ryder Cup call-up a few years ago, which I had to cancel last minute due to a cold.

“Although the thought of standing on the first tee at Celtic Manor in front of so many people fills me with dread, my nerves are calmed knowing that whatever I do Rob Brydon is capable of doing even worse. Plus I’ve played Sunderland Empire, and at least at Celtic Manor nobody will throw a bottle at me and ask for a refund.”

Mack will be in good company in the role of course jester as Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon is the captain of Wales and Brendan O’Carroll, of Mrs Brown’s Boys fame, lines up for Ireland. Captain Mark Tindall, Anton du Beke, Peter Jones, Ben Shephard and Denise Van Outen complete the England line-up.

Gruffudd, who played TV’s Hornblower and Mr Fantastic in the Fantastic Four movies, jets in from Los Angeles to make his second appearance after playing for Wales in the inaugural Celebrity Cup in 2013. His Wales team-mates this year are the skipper Brydon, Jonathan Davies, Sir Gareth Edwards, Phil Glenister and Gethin Jones.

International rugby captain Greig Laidlaw and Olympic silver medal winning swimmer Michael Jamieson have been added to the Scotland team of captain Rory Lawson, Max Evans, Thom Evans and Dougray Scott.

The Irish team has swelled to seven with actor Laurence Kinlan, Lions rugby legend Shane Byrne and former Liverpool star Ronnie Whelan joining team captain Keith Duffy, Brian McFadden, Brian Ormond and O’Carroll.

Team Ireland has been given an extra man or “SuperSub” at this year’s Celebrity Cup presented by Bulmers to boost their chances of climbing off the foot of the table for the first time.

With a reputation for being the first to the bar and the last to bed, the opportunity to rest one player from each round of action might well come in handy for the Irish.

Thousands of golf fans and celebrity spotters flocked to Celtic Manor in the sunshine to watch the stars up close last July.

As well as top-notch golfing action and on and off-course banter, there will be live music and food and bar outlets in the tented village, plus the opportunity to “Get Into Golf” in an interactive zone sponsored by Principality Building Society.

TEAMS

England: Mike Tindall (captain), Anton du Beke, Peter Jones, Lee Mack, Ben Shephard, Denise Van Outen
Ireland: Keith Duffy (captain), Shane Byrne, Laurence Kinlan, Brian McFadden, Brendan O’Carroll, Brian Ormond, Ronnie Whelan
Scotland: Rory Lawson (captain), Max Evans, Thom Evans, Michael Jamieson, Greig Laidlaw, Dougray Scott
Wales: Rob Brydon (captain), Jonathan Davies, Sir Gareth Edwards, Phil Glenister, Ioan Gruffudd, Gethin Jones

About The Celebrity Cup presented by Bulmers

The Celebrity Cup was launched in 2013 and the event is played between teams of celebrity golfers representing England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales at the Celtic Manor Resort. The teams play each other over nine holes in a round-robin matchplay format, leading to a final and third-placed play-off. Scotland won the inaugural competition in 2013, England triumphed in 2014, and Wales took the title in 2015.

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