TV star Pants Man Phil is put through his paces

Sep 12 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

FIRST it was Sir Alan Sugar who put him through his paces. Now Apprentice star Philip Taylor is about to take on a gruelling half marathon to raise money for Water Aid.

Philip, originally from West Cornforth, County Durham, will complete this year’s Bupa Great North Run dressed as “Pants Man” – the much ridiculed superhero character he dreamed up to sell cereal to children on the BBC show.

But before the cape and mask go on, Philip has turned to North Tyneside-based personal trainer David Fairlamb for a last-minute health and fitness check-up.

Philip, who now lives in London with his girlfriend, Apprentice runner-up Kate Walsh, said: “I’ve quit smoking so that’s improved my fitness, but I’ve had a bit of a cold, so I wanted to get checked out before the run. It’s going to be really exciting as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’m happy to be supporting Water Aid, because it is helping the one in eight people in the world who don’t have access to safe water, and the children who are dying from preventable illness.”

Philip is now looking forward to spending some time with friends in Durham before heading back to London to meet girlfriend Kate’s family.

The pair will then return to the North East next Saturday for the run.

“My life has been transformed since The Apprentice,” said Philip. “I’ve started my own business and I’ve been speaking to two companies about jobs in London, so it’s all looking good.

“Things are going brilliantly with Kate too, and she’ll be cheering me on.”

David Fairlamb, whose company Fairlamb fitness is based at TyneMet College, said: “I’m delighted to be able to help out. Philip is a really good sport and it’s a great cause. We ran a series of test to see how he’s doing and found that he’s pretty fit actually.

“He has 16.6% body fat, which is excellent, and his blood pressure was spot on. His metabolic age is 23 and he is 30, which is great. That means that he is very lean with little body fat.

“We did the bleep test, which is his level of fitness. He managed a level of well above average, just short of the athletic level.”

Water Aid is also the adopted international charity of Northumbrian Water. Alistair Baker from the company said: “It’s great having someone like Philip volunteer to run to help raise the profile of the Water Aid.

“The work of Water Aid is also about providing safe toilets so it’s even more fitting that Philip as a super hero is helping us to say ‘pants’ to poverty.”

To support Philip and the other Water Aid runners, visit www.wateraid.org/greatnorthrun.

Click here for more tips from fitness trainer David Fairlamb