Celtic star’s fiancee hosts charity lunch with Insane Fight Club star and Emmerdale actor for Hartson Foundation

Lisa, fiancee of Celtic striker Kris Commons, hosted the John Hartson Foundation’s first ladies lunch which also starred Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, who plays Andy Sugden in the long-running soap.

The mum-of-three has already supported a number of the charity’s events, including last year’s talent competition, annual ball, and golf day which took place in April.

She said: “Hosting the Foundation’s first ladies lunch was an absolute pleasure as it’s a great charity which does such important work promoting awareness of testicular cancer and providing support to people who have cancer and their families.

“Grado and Kelvin were both absolute stars and both proved popular with the ladies! It was a huge honour and I’m proud to be involved and happy to do anything I can to help out. The lunch was a fantastic event and I’m looking forward to the charity’s next big event which is the fifth birthday ball in October.”

Madcap wrestler Grado – whose catchphrase is ‘It’s yersel’ – has been named the charity’s newest ambassador and met guests with Kelvin at the event at Mar Hall, Bishopton.

His role as ambassador will also see him promoting the John Hartson Foundation’s #knowyourballs campaign in a bid to raise awareness of the symptoms of testicular cancer.

Clyde 1 DJ Gina McKie also lent her support to the event by hosting a fashion show and top Scots band The Cartel provided the entertainment.

Grado, whose real name is Graeme Stevely, said: “There’s no polite way to say this – I was talking balls to the ladies as it’s just as important to spread the word about testicular cancer to the girls as it is to the guys.

“There’s no reason why they can’t help their partners check their testicles for any lumps or other worrying symptoms and help spread the word to their fathers, brothers, sons and cousins – it really is that important.

“I’m honoured to have been appointed ambassador to the John Hartson Foundation and I’m going to make sure I take every opportunity possible to promote the fantastic work they do and enourage men and women not to by shy about talking about testicles and checking for problems.”

Grado, who is from Stevenston, Ayrshire, found fame in the BBC’s Insane Fight Club documentary which lifted the lid on the brutal world of British professional wrestling. He has also starred in Glasgow soap River City and spoof police reality show the Scot Squad.

He was among a host of sports stars including ex-Rangers boss Walter Smith and Hibs manager Alan Stubbs who helped John launch the #knowyourballs campaign at the charity’s annual golf day in April.

The John Hartson Foundation was set up in 2010 following the ex-Arsenal, West Ham and Wales striker’s life-threatening battle with testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer to affect men between the ages of 15 and 49. If caught early enough, it has a cure rate of more than 96 percent.

Mrs Brown’s Boys’ star Gary Hollywood , who is also an ambassador for the Foundation, is hosting the charity’s fifth birthday ball, in the Glasgow City Hotel, Cambridge Street, on Saturday, October 17. Singer songwriter Charlie Healy – who became a household name as one quarter of The X-Factor finalists boy band The Risk – stars and entertainment will include Clyde 1 DJ George Bowie’s GB Experience.

For more information visit www.johnhartsonfoundation.co.uk or email [email protected]