Teenagers from both Bicester’s secondary schools were given a pep talk by cricket legend and Strictly Come Dancing champ Darren Gough.

Mr Gough was the surprise guest at this year’s Going 4 It event aimed at helping students onto the right careers path as they choose their GCSE options.

Organised by Bicester Village, the annual event saw about 40 local businesses take part, from solicitors to a race horse trainer to plumbers, to give pupils a taste of the different careers available.

More than 400 students from Cooper School and Bicester Community College, BCC, got advice on what subjects they should study for their future jobs.

Retired cricketer Gough went down a storm with pupils.

He told students: “Although this time in your school lives can seem a bit daunting, the choices you make can really be a positive move in the right direction for your future.

“You may have no idea what you want to be in your professional adult lives but always be prepared to give 100 per cent and learn to not be afraid to take risks.”