A lockdown pub quizmaster who became a viral internet sensation will be hosting his first in-person quiz since shooting to fame this evening.

Jay Flynn will be hosting his first non-virtual quiz for 100 of his regular quizzers at Level One, on Market Street in Darwen today (June 22) at 7pm.

The Darwen resident became a household name during lockdown after launching his 'Jay's Virtual Pub Quiz' which, at its peak saw up to 500,000 people join from all over the world.

He said: "I'm slightly petrified after 15 months of staring at a camera; but no, it is absolutely incredible.

"For me I started this to entertain a few people in Darwen and now we have got people coming from everywhere.

"Tomorrow night is going to be the first time it really hits me what I have done over the past 15 months because, as much as I talk to people through social media, for all intents and purposes, every Thursday and Saturday night I sit and talk to a camera.

"To meet these people that the quizzes have had such an impact on - tomorrow is where it's going to get quite emotional."

Since he shot to fame, Jay has become a regular on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Thursday breakfast show quiz master while his virtual quiz continues to go strong.

The quizmaster has secured two world records and fundraises for a chosen charity each month, with the quiz having raised nearly £1 million.

Jay is hoping that now restrictions are easing, he will be able to host more in-person quizzes and meet more of the people who joined his virtual quiz during lockdown.

He added: "I'm really looking forward to the incredible people from our community and to be in a room and say thank you is something I am looking forward to.

"There is people from the beginning, people who have joined in the last six months - they have all got their own different reasons for playing the quiz.

"I am really grateful to Leon and the team at Level One for this and I am grateful to the venue to host the first quiz of the new era - with more in person quizzes hopefully to come."

He was also awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and released a book which was endorsed by Stephen Fry.

Before being a pub landlord and having to give up pub start of lockdown, Jay spent some time homeless on the streets of London which greatly affected his mental health.