A MAN once dubbed the most well-groomed male in Britain will be putting his award-winning features in harm’s way, as he prepares to take part in a charity boxing event.

Les Langley, from Darlington, was awarded the title of Britain’s Best-Groomed Man in 2013, as part of a campaign co-organised by shaving company Bluebeard’s Revenge and men’s cancer charity Orchid, which encouraged men to check for signs of cancer.

On Saturday, October 3, Mr Langley will be taking to the ring to participate in Ultra White Collar Boxing, an event which aims to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The charity is close to Mr Langley’s heart, as he lost two grandparents to cancer, as well as his first wife in 2004.

A former semi-professional footballer, Mr Langley has no boxing background, and said it was only when his application was accepted that the reality of what he will be doing sank in.

He said: “The realisation hit as hard as the punches; I suddenly thought to myself, ‘what am I doing!?’

“There were 1,500 people at the last event, which is a daunting prospect, but I am still looking forward to it.”

It was while attending the last event that Mr Langley decided to take part, to the surprise of his friends and family.

He added: “People look at me like the last thing I want to be doing is getting hit in the face.

“There’s not been one person I’ve told who hasn’t said ‘you must be mad.’”

Fights will comprise three rounds of two minutes, with entrants being paired up by ability to ensure the competition is as fair as possible.

Mr Langley added: “It doesn’t sound much, but two minutes of someone trying to punch you in the face is long enough, believe me.”

Mr Langley has a fundraising page for the event, at justgiving.com/Les-Langley

Ultra White Collar Boxing is being held at Rainton Meadows Arena, in Houghton Le Spring, from 5pm until 11pm on Saturday, October 3, and from 3pm until 9pm on Sunday, October 4.

For tickets, visit ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/product/durham/