THE Real Marigold Hotel is back for its third series and joining the cast is jockey Bob Champion.

He's a champion by name and reputation – Here's everything you need to know about him…

Who is The Real Marigold Hotel star Bob Champion?

Robert Champion MBE – or Bob Champion as he's better known – was born on 4th June 1948 – making him 70- years-old.

The jockey was born in the appropriately named North Riding of Yorkshire.

In 1979 at the height of his career he developed testicular cancer for which he had to receive orchidectomy treatment.

The untimely diagnosis made his success even more of a triumph.

Just two years after fighting the disease Bob won the 1981 Grand National on his horse Aldaniti.

Their incredible win gained them the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award.

And in 2002 Channel 4 viewers would later choose the victory as one of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments of all time.

The talented sportsman also won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and the Whitbread Trial Chase.

And in 1982 he was appointed an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The following year Bob created the Bob Champion Cancer Trust which over the years has raised millions of pounds for research of the deadly disease.

Bob's life and successes have been the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life – which he was surprised with on his wedding day in 1981.

And he even had the 1984 film Champions made about his life – with John Hurt playing Champion himself.

More on The Real Marigold Hotel

The horse enthusiast officially retired from training horses in 1999.

More recently he was awarded the Helen Rollason award as part of the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year competition in 2011.

Bob is married to Jeanette McGinn and has two children from previous marriages.

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