Motormouth DJ Chris Moyles faced a real battle of the heavyweights when he squared up against Frank Bruno.

The Radio One jock has slimmed down his once wobbly waistline but still stood out as he waited on the start line for the Great North Run in Newcastle.

Jostling with Big Frank for the best position, Moyles vowed: "I will take him out."

He added: "I'll be glad just to see the finishing line, it seems like a long way off at the moment.

"But Frank dosn't know what he has taken on if he thinks he can get the better of me."

Bruno laughed: "Maybe Chris will record a better time if he knows I'm chasing him."

Olympic rowing sensation Matthew Pinsent and stars from Emmerdale, London's Burning and The Bill were also among the thousands of runners.