TELEVISION star and former Birmingham City FC chief Karren Brady has pulled out of starting Knowle Fun Run.The village resident said she was double booked at a wedding. Her appearance at the May 16 event had already been made public by organisers.
A spokesman for Mrs Brady told The Silhillian: “A close friend of hers has decided to get married on the same day as the Knowle Fun Run and Karren has no choice but to attend her friend’s wedding, as I am sure many people will understand.
“As much as Karren would like to be in two places at once, it’s simply not possible, although she will be attending the Fun Run later in the day.
“As soon as she heard of the wedding she gave notice to the organisers.
“Karren continues to be a supporter of the Knowle Fun Run and has made a donation to her charity, Teenage Cancer Trust, one of the charities due to benefit from this year’s event.”
She was due to give out the trophies at the event, which begins and ends at Arden School and is organised by Knowle & Dorridge Lions.
A statement from organiser John Heard said: “This is the first time in 10 years we have been let down by any of our celebs, let alone after we have publicised their involvement.”
It said: “We are of course disappointed, as I’m sure many runners will be.
“We shall now be looking for a replacement to continue the tradition of having a well-known face to send the runners on their way.
“Anyone with any ideas who we should now approach please get in touch via email.”
The organisers can be contacted at 2010@knowlefunrun.org.uk.
Mrs Brady shot to fame when appointed as manager director at the club in 1993, aged 23.
She left last year and is now vice-chairman of West Ham United, a newspaper columnist and forthcoming judge on the Apprentice with Sir Alan Sugar.
Previous VIPs include Midlands Today newsreader Sarah Falkland and comedian Jasper Carrot.
