RED-FACED rugby star Jonny Wilkinson hit the roof when he was outshone by his brother yesterday.

The World-Cup-winning fly half, 25, had been brought in by the Hilton chain to open its latest hotel.

Jonny was asked to open the six-storey complex by kicking a rugby ball over its roof to land in the River Tyne at Gateshead.

But his famous kicking action failed him and the ball clipped the roof, bounced twice and fell back to his feet.

Jonny's brother Mark, 27, then compounded his misery by showing him how it should be done, launching the ball high above the building.

One onlooker said: "There was a little gasp from the audience when Jonny's kick hit the fascia on the roof and bounced back down.

"He laughed it off, but you could tell he was a little bit embarrassed by it.

"As Jonny's ball hit the floor, his brother hit a mighty kick that sailed straight over, so at least the hotel was opened by a Wilkinson."

Work at the 254-room hotel was completed eight months late after dozens of faults were found with the building, including a leaking car park roof.