TOWIE star Mark Wright in talks to launch football career with 20 per cent stake in local club Billericay Town FC

HIS performance at Soccer Aid last summer won him Man Of The Match as he played with a host of celebs and football stars – and sparked talk of a trial with Manchester United.

And now I can reveal MARK WRIGHT is set to get his big break in football, even if it’s a world away from Wembley glory.

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The former Only Way Is Essex hunk is in advanced talks to take a 20 per cent stake in his local club Billericay Town FC alongside his millionaire pal Glenn Tamplin, who owns and manages the non-league hopefuls.

Last week Mark headed to their ground, where he was pictured checking out the facilities at their 3,500-capacity stadium, and he is finalising details of his involvement.

Mark is already having an effect — his appearance gained the club their ­biggest attendance of the year.

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A source said: “Mark has always loved football and is known for being a talented player, but obviously he never quite made it to the big time. He sees this as a great way to get involved with the sport and hopes to make a real impact.

“They’re very ambitious about where the club could end up.

“Glenn and Mark have been friends for some time. Glenn believes ­having a famous face involved could give the club a publicity boost so he proposed the deal. He is a steel magnate worth about £50million so he can ­certainly afford it.”

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The club have signalled their intent by signing former England player Paul Konchesky, and the two pals believe they could boost the non-league minnows to a ­professional League Two outfit in just five years.

That will take three promotions — so Mark will have his work cut out.

But with wife MICHELLE KEEGAN on the touchline, they will be top of the table for most stunning ­spectator.

Sheeran up for a Jedward duet

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ED SHEERAN is definitely keen on the Irish. He’s at No2 with ­Galway Girl and now he’s ­admitted to kidnapping one of the country’s national treasures.

The superstar told how he was driving through Toronto when he spotted JEDWARD on the street and ferried them back to his hotel.

But when he woke up, the brothers had done a runner.

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Speaking about their unlikely friendship, Ed told me: “I was like, ‘What the f*** are Jedward doing here?’

“So I shouted out to them, ‘Jedward!’ and took them in my car and we went to my hotel. It was the World Cup and I was like, ‘I have to watch this France game’.

“Then they just started being Jedward and started ordering JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE vinyls on eBay – like loads of them at once.

“They were being really loud then I fell asleep and when I woke up they weren’t there.”

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Since then, Ed’s friendship with JOHN and EDWARD GRIMES has gone from strength to strength.

The Sun revealed last month the twins had lined up an electro collaboration with Ed for 2018.

Now Ed has told me: “If an EDM ­collaboration would happen with anyone, it would ­happen with Jedward.

“I love Jedward. It’s like a puppy, there is no way you can dislike Jedward.

“There is no side to them at all that’s nasty – they are just nice. For people not to like them is weird.”

Their Irish charm has clearly won Ed over.

Jenny from the blocked number

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SHE used to call him on his cell phone, but these days DRAKE is drunk texting JENNIFER LOPEZ.

The rapper references his ex, who is now dating baseball star ALEX RODRIGUEZ, among the 22 tracks on new release More Life.

In his song Free Smoke, Drizzy raps: “I drunk text J. Lo/Old ­number so I bounce back?/Boy Wonder gotta bounce back.”

Then Drake samples the chorus to her tune If You Had My Love in song Teenage Fever, which includes the lyrics, “Your heart is hard to carry after dark. You’re to blame for what we could have been, ’cause look at what we are.”

Might be time to move on...

Brit stars strike back as Star Wars dominates

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THE Force was with FELICITY JONES as she won Best Actress for her role in Star Wars movie Rogue One.

EDDIE REDMAYNE took the Best Actor prize for Fantastic Beasts at the Empire Awards in London’s Roundhouse.

TOM HIDDLESTON – joined at the bash by stars including CHARLOTTE RILEY, Line Of Duty’s VICKY McCLURE and Downton stars JOANNE FROGGATT and DAN STEVENS – picked up two for Best TV series for The Night Manager and the honorary Hero accolade.

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Katy and Suki go girly

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KATY PERRY’s sexual experiences aren’t as black and white as her latest dress.

The pop star has cleared up speculation behind her breakout hit I Kissed A Girl, confessing it was inspired by girl-on-girl action – and not just locking lips with a woman.

While accepting the National Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign gala in LA on Saturday, she said: “Truth be told, I did more than that. I was curious.”

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Meanwhile, SUKI WATERHOUSE was also in Hollywood launching her accessories line with best pal Poppy Jamie, who she kissed at a Golden Globes afterparty in January.

No wonder Katy and Suki’s daring wardrobe choices were so in tune.

Chinese Bean sprout

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HE’s officially known as Mr Foolish Bean in Asia – but there’s been nothing daft about ROWAN ATKINSON’s timely revival of his world famous character.

Just a year after his £5million divorce from ex-wife Sunetra on the grounds of “unreasonable behaviour”, he has ­resurrected the bumbling clown for a lucrative film deal only shown in ­Chinese cinemas.

Rowan – who left his ex-wife and is now dating comedy actress Louise Ford, who is half his age – stars in the lead role in new Chinese movie Top Funny Comedian alongside co-stars Guo Degang and Yue.

As he doesn’t speak any Mandarin, Mr Bean being mute will have come in handy.

Kim speaks out on Paris ordeal

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KIM KARDASHIAN last night broke her silence about her Paris robbery ordeal – on the new series of her hit reality show.

And before the episode aired she took to Twitter, warning fans it would be “incredibly tough” to watch.

Kim said: “I’m not going to hold back when this was probably one of the most life-changing experiences for me.

“I’ve learned some valuable lessons and feel so blessed to be safe home with my babies and husband. To my friends, family and loved ones, I can’t thank you enough for being there when I needed you the most.”