Leicester’s I’m A Celebrity star Owen Warner took part in a special celebrity football match in aid of a brave young cancer patient, Rio Spurr. The Hollyoaks actor appeared with X-Factor winner James Arthur and former TOWIE star Dan Osborne along with former Eastender Dean Gaffney at Altrincham Football Club.

The event, which took place on Sunday, was in aid of little Rio, who has a rare form of cancer that has spread through his body. The four-year-old who loves to sing and dance started having unusual stomach pains and a lump was found.

His parents, former Leeds Sheffield Wednesday star Thomas Spurr and his wife Chloe, brought him to A&E “knowing something wasn’t right”. On April 27 of last year, Rio’s family was told he had stage four cancer after a large tumor in his right kidney had spread to his lungs and a tumor had formed in both.

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“Our family’s world as we knew it was completely destroyed in that brief, heartbreaking conversation,” Chloe told YorkshireLive, with Rio said to be fighting valiantly against the disease.

Treatment is expensive and Tommy, who is from Leeds, has quit his job to soon be with his poor man and his younger brother Rudy. Chloe has also put her beauty treatment business on hold.

Also present was James Arthur, who was forced to deny rumors that he is one of the costumed singers on ITV’s The Masked Singer. Owen Warner was at the event to support him and posted a photo of him in action on his Instagram page. He said: “Quality game for a quality cause, thanks to everyone who came out to support little Rio.” His fans responded by praising him for participating.

Love Island star Jake Cornish said: “It’s good to see you bro.” Jonrooke88 said, “You sounded like you were having way too much fun in a couple of those.” Coopsl10 said: “Quality performance partner of legend and to the youth of Rio I can’t thank you enough for your support.”

Having been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy since April, as well as a four-hour surgery to remove the tumor, Chloe and Tom are now looking to try new treatments and clinical trials available abroad.

Writing in the description of his GoFundMe, ex-professional father Tom says: “Rio is the most beautiful, brave and special boy and he deserves every possible chance to fight to survive this cruel disease.

“We are SO proud of Rio! Beyond proud of both him and his little brother… They are both remarkable kids! As we near the end of Rio’s treatment, we enlist his help. A few weeks after Rio’s last dose of chemotherapy, we’ll do CT scans and MRIs to see if his treatment has worked. We pray and hope that Rio is cancer free. “

And the Spurr family had already raised over £78,000 of their £250,000 goal. To donate, head over to Rio’s GoFundMe page here.

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