I am Team GB: Max Whitlock 'switches off' ITV for an hour as part of national sports day event

Exercise clubs and venues across the country will open doors to the public free of charge as part of the event

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock has turned off all ITV channels for one hour, as part of a nationwide sports day to encourage the public to exercise.

The gymnast appeared in a clip at 9:30am on Saturday, during which he pulled a lever and ‘switch off’ ITV as part of a national sports day event entitled I Am Team GB.

Sports venues and clubs across the country will be open to the public free of charge on Saturday as part of the event, organised by the National Lottery and ITV.

The one-hour shut down prevented viewers from watching the weekly Coronation Street omnibus, but fans in Manchester couldhead to the MediaCityUK set and join gold-medal winning racing cyclist Elinor Barker, who will be running a sports event on the cobbles.

Mr Whitlock, who won two gold medals and one bronze in Rio this year will be playing handball alongside the public at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park.

He encouraged the public to make use of the rare chance to use sports clubs for free, and get involved with the event.

“I first started gymnastics in Hemel Hempstead at Sapphire School of Gymnastics,” he said.

“Knowing how friendly and life-changing clubs like this can be, I’d encourage everyone to get involved in I Am Team GB – the nation’s biggest-ever sports day.”

Other Olympians taking part in the event include rowers Karen Bennett, Katie Greves and Helen Glover, cox Zoe de Toledo, swimmer Jazz Carlin, trampolinist Bryony Page and gymnast Amy Tinkler.