Golden Boot Jonny brings out calendar

Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson, who has shunned lucrative publicity deals since his return from the triumph in Australia, today gave the green-light for an official calendar bearing his image.

The 24-year-old fly-half, who has reportedly turned down big money deals from Hello! And OK! Magazines, has signed up with calendar publishers Danilo.

Spokeswoman Jennie Halsall said the player took a lot of persuading and gave the go-ahead only after he was told that three unofficial “tacky” calendars were about to hit the shops.

She said: “He is very conscious of the fans, he is very conscious of the support they gave him. It is something for them. It is payback for them.”

The glossy calendar features Jonny in various poses, including “relaxed” mode, “sporty” mode and, of course, a picture of the star holding aloft the Webb Ellis trophy – appropriately placed on the November page.

Ms Halsall added: “There are some unscrupulous bootleggers out there and Jonny did not want the fans to be ripped off by them.”

She added: “It will certainly be going on my wall. He appeals to everybody. From sportsmen and women to children, mothers, daughters, everybody.”

Jonny added: “I wanted to make sure the fans could obtain an official calendar that was affordable and of good quality, that they might like on their wall in the year – I am sincerely flattered that anyone would want me on their wall.”

Laurence Prince, Danilo’s chairman, said: “We are delighted that Jonny Wilkinson has joined our official calendar title list.

“At this time of year, unofficial calendars from bootleggers are a huge problem and the only way to stop it is to release a calendar that is official, with the subject’s endorsement.”