TOWIE'S Mark Wright was helped over the London Marathon finish line by a hero runner who had "no clue who he was", The Sun can reveal.
The reality TV star was struggling with leg cramp when Leon Swift, 41, ran stride by stride with him to complete the final stretch.
They sucked salt tablets to recharge before high fiving and taking a celebratory picture after finishing the gruelling race together.
Leon told The Sun: "You could tell his legs were tiring. He’s a fit lad but his legs were going.
“I was unaware of who he was, I just took him as another runner. I encouraged him to crack on with it and keep on going."
Leon, of Bedfordshire, tried to distract ex-Crawley Town midfielder Mark, 35, from his aches and pains by talking football.
The warehouse manager suspected the flagging star who he was helping was famous when onlookers started chanting his name.
He said: “I’m such an idiot. I didn’t realise he played professionally or did the Soccer Aid with all the stars.
“He was happy for me to just chat to him to keep him going while he just listened and answered the odd question.
“I was thinking, just try and keep his mind off of his legs. He was lovely to chat to and he was tiring more and more.”
Ultramarathon runner Leon, completing his first London Marathon thanks to charity Herts MS therapy centre, helped Mark finish the 26.2-mile challenge in three hours and 41 minutes.
He added: “I congratulated him and he was ever so thankful, saying you’ve dragged me across the last few miles.
“I said ‘best of luck for the future and really well done - you should be proud of yourself’.
“All these camera people wanted a shot of him and I just thought, my missus is going to kill me if I don’t get a selfie and he was happy to do one.
"I couldn't believe how nice he was. It was a real privilege to help him finish together as he is such a top bloke."
Among the crowds were Mark's mum Carol, sister Jess and Corrie star wife Michelle Keegan - who he hugged and kissed afterwards.
Mark posted an Instagram picture of Leon afterwards, writing: “This man here. What a guy. He pulled me through the last three miles, gave me a salt tablet and encouraged me every minute to keep going. If you see this mate, or someone that knows him please message me. Thanks.”
Leon’s wife Jenny replied but the pair have not yet spoken since Sunday’s triumph
