A ‘Battle of the Bands’ saw Blue singer Duncan James’ team come out on top against Team Latchford-Evans at Racketeer in West London to secure a place in October’s Pro Am Padel Tour Grand Final.
With their victory, Team James joined former England rugby international and Saracens legend Alex Goode, whose team secured its Grand Final place by triumphing at the Manchester event in July.
Team James will now compete for the Captain’s Fund at the Grand Final, raising money for their chosen charity, Champions Charity – the only UK-based charity supporting people living with Cauda Equina Syndrome, which Duncan suffered from in 2015.
Speaking after the win, Duncan said: “I really enjoyed everyone’s energy and I can’t wait for the final.”
Community at the core
While the Celebrity Pro Am provided the day’s competitive highlight, the Pro Am Padel Tour’s second event of 2026 began with a series of community-focused sessions supported by the LTA, giving local young people and community groups the opportunity to experience one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports.
The morning programme welcomed participants from organisations including The Harlequins Foundation, Sport In Mind, Jason Roberts Foundation and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, many of whom were picking up a padel racket for the first time.
They provided participants with both practical coaching and an insight into the sport’s accessibility, inclusivity and social appeal.
Oliver Morgan, Founder of the Pro Am Padel Tour, said: “Teaming up with local community organisations around the UK and seeing local young people and marginalised communities experiencing padel for the first time, is always a highlight.
“Padel is an incredibly accessible sport, and we want our events to reflect that. There’s a huge opportunity to bring new audiences into the game and show that padel really can be a sport for everyone. We want to make sure that translates into genuine opportunities for people to pick up a racket and get involved.”
The community programme reflects the Pro Am Padel Tour’s wider ambition to use its high-profile events as a gateway to long-term participation, connecting the visibility of professional and celebrity sport with opportunities for new players to get on court.
From grassroots to celebrity showdown
Following the morning’s community sessions, the event moved into a programme of corporate experiences, media and influencer activity and brand activations, including the Certina Precision Challenge and Skechers Touch Challenge.
The afternoon Celebrity Pro Am brought together professional padel players and high-profile names from sport and entertainment, with a Pro Showcase and All Celebrity Showdown providing the centrepiece of the afternoon.
Team Latchford-Evans, led by Lee Latchford-Evans (Steps singer, actor and fitness personality), featured Jamie Christian (former Gladiators star), Ronnie Vint (Love Island star and semi-pro footballer), Hana Mai (model and actress), Alexandre Roque (actor, model and dancer) and Harry Cooksley (footballer and former Love Island).
Team James, led by Duncan James (Blue singer, actor and TV presenter), featured Reece Topley (England cricketer), Tristan Phipps (Made in Chelsea star and adventurer), Jack Burnell (Olympian and former Great Britain marathon swimmer), Emma Walsh (F1 TV presenter and motorsport personality) and Stephanie McCaffrey (Leyton Orient footballer and former Team USA player).
The celebrity line-up was joined by some of Britain’s leading padel players, fresh from competing at Premier Padel P1, including Louie Harris (GB No.2), Cameron Dollimore (GB No.4), Frankie Langan (former GB No.1), Ellie Tait (former LTA No.1), Jasmine Dedakia (LTA No.2), Laura Jackson (GB) and Chris Salisbury (GB).
Hana Mai and Jamie Bigg were recognised as the event’s standout performers, receiving MVP honours for their performances throughout the day.
Both players were presented with a Certina DS-7 timepiece, recognising their contribution to an action-packed day of competition.
Next gen talent also got involved with some of Britain’s most promising young padel players taking to the court to win points for their teams – including GB U14 No.1 Lucy Bertram, GB U16 No.1 Harley Dixon, former FIP junior world No.11 Andrew Dunn and GB junior international Rosie Allen.
Road to the Grand Final
London marked the second stop of the 2026 Pro Am Padel Tour, with four events taking place across the UK before the season culminates in the Grand Final at Padium, London, on Wednesday 21 October.
Each event sees celebrity captains compete for the chance to reach the Grand Final, where they will battle for the Captain’s Fund and the opportunity to raise money for their chosen charity.
Funds are generated through VIP experiences and Pro Masterclass ticket sales across the tour, with last year’s event seeing Team Lescott raise £11,500 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.
