Wayne Lineker has hired Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding rival as protection after being knocked out in Ibiza last week, it has been claimed.
Lineker, the 62-year-old brother of Match of the Day host and former England international Gary, was attacked and left unconscious last Wednesday.
Lineker was involved in a heated exchange with a group of men in San Antonio, Ibiza, last week, while “trying to protect a girl from being harassed.”
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Since then, the Sun allege that he has hired Eddy Ellwood, a five times Mr Universe to work as “muscle”.
According to the publication’s sources, Ellwood, who beat Arnold Schwarzenegger's record of most Mr Universe titles, was on holiday in the area but “asked to hang around for longer as ‘muscle’”.
The report comes after Linker said it “could’ve been worse” after last Wednesday’s ordeal.
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He said he was "lucky" he wasn't closer to the wall behind him, or the outcome could have been much worse.
He said: "I wanted to write this post to let everyone know that I’m doing ok… I have a few stitches and a swollen lip.
"It could have been much worse so I count myself very fortunate I wasn’t standing 2 yards further back, as my head would have impacted the wall.
"Obviously, the video is very disturbing to see especially for my family. The papers were very accurate and it was a simple case of me just trying to protect a girl from being harassed.
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"Thank you everyone for all your messages of concern the support has been really overwhelming."
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Chris Byfield