Jonny Wilkinson turns to Buddhism

Well it had to happen. There's no way a man could concentrate that hard on a ball and not reach enlightenment.

England rugby hero Jonnny Wilkinson, famed for his unparalleled kicking ability, has turned to Buddhism to help him with his obsessions and morbid fear of death.

The 29-year-old who used to spend hours practising his kicks decided his obsessiveness had reached an unhealthy level and turned to the eastern religion to help him cope. He said: "I spent my time in fear of not reaching my goals.

"Failing at something is one thing, but Biddhism tells us it is up to us how we interpret that failure."

Jonny's transormation into peace-loving hippy has been completed with a new-look hairstyle - long blonde locks.

He said: "The new hair represents the new me."