Vickery's bodybuilding transformation amid life-changing diagnosis

In an interview with Sky Sports News' Gail Davis, former England international Phil Vickery discusses his bodybuilding transformation and living with his diagnosis of probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition associated with repeated head impacts...

The picture was nothing short of astonishing. At first glance I joked it must be AI, but behind that moment on stage in Hull and beyond the bodybuilding poses and two tons of fake tan is something far more eye catching.

Phil Vickery has rebuilt his body, but he has rebuilt his mind too. Along the way he has found something to help fill a little of the void left behind after retirement from rugby in friendship, community, a sense of belonging and - perhaps most importantly - the feeling of being valued.

All of which matter immensely as he faces an uncertain future.