It’s full 'steam-iron' ahead for Linford Christie!

Record breaking Olympic gold medallist and I’m A Celebrity star Linford Christie has today announced that he is to come out of retirement in a bid to add a rather more unusual championship title to his collection.

The World Ironing Championships, in association with Morphy RichardsIn an exclusive interview released today, the 50-year-old sprinting star revealed that he misses the challenge of competition and has launched himself back into a rigorous training regime in preparation for a world championship with a difference.

Linford may have three Olympic Golds and 23 Championship medals to boot thanks to his skills on the running track, but this time Christie has set his sights on a more extraordinary accolade – the title of World Ironing Champion and a limited edition ‘money can’t buy’ golden iron.

Linford has made no secret of his penchant for pressing, revealing on his departure from the depths of the I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here jungle, that he wanted to catch up on his ironing before having a shower.

The World Ironing Championships, in association with Morphy Richards’ social community ‘Home Of The House Proud’, are appealing to ironing specialists from across the globe, including police officers, fireman, ironing ladies and military personnel to send in a short film of their entry, which will be judged by the World Ironing ‘board’. The ‘board’ includes endurance world record holder Ben Walton, who successfully ironed 923 items in 60 hours two years ago and has proved that he knows a thing or two about how to iron a shirt.

The winner of each category will walk away with a cash prize and a coveted golden iron.

Linford said: “Being in the jungle made me realise that I can happily go without food or shelter but what I missed immensely was my freshly ironed clothes. The World Ironing Championships has given me an outlet for my ironing obsession and has given me the motivation I need to get back into training for the next big challenge of my career.

“I know I can’t be alone in my love of ironing and I urge all other ironing lovers out there to make themselves known and enter the competition.”

To watch Linford’s full interview and see how to iron a shirt with style and flair log onto: homeofthehouseproud.com/world-ironing-championships