Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is going to extremes to promote his cafe businesses.

Carragher owns Cafe Sports England and its younger sibling Cafe Sports Express.

And the Liverpool Echo says he's also be taking a rather surprising hands-on approach to the business.

Regulars at the Express restaurant in Liverpool One may be familiar with the eaterie's mascot Sporty Star.

He can be spotted mingling with diners and performing sporty stunts across Chavasse Park, bearing a costume with Jamie's number 23 on his back.

But that may not be were the resemblance ends.

Insider's spy reveals that, in fact, Sporty Star often IS the man himself!

A source confirms: "Jamie puts in so much time and effort into Café Sports, attending regular events such as quiz nights and fundraisers, and he also takes a day a week to sign Café Sports merchandise and birthday cards.

"When it was announced Jamie was in the official World Cup Squad he took the time to call into both his venues before jetting off the next day to South Africa. He's such a good sport.

"Customers are often intrigued as to whether Sporty Star is Jamie Carragher ... and every now and again it is!"