Former Be Wiser Ducati rider Shane “Shakey” Byrne is due to visit Carlisle this November.

The six-time British Superbike champion Byrne, who rode for Paul Bird’s Langwathby-based team in 2003, 2007 and from 2012 until last year, will star at an event at the Shepherd’s Inn, which has been organised by MJK Sports Events.

It will take place on November 28 and promises to “lift the lid on the darker side of the sport”, including the horror injury the Sittingbourne-based rider sustained in a crash in testing at Snetterton last May - an injury which he is still recovering from today.

Mick Speight, of MJK Sports Events, said: "He is coming north. He is such a southern-based rider that I think he enjoys doing that.

"For Shakey now, after suffering such a bad injury and ahead of his new book [with Byrne’s autobiography set to be launched next year], I think he is looking towards the next stage of his career."

Last November, MJK Sports Events did a similar event with Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness and former GP, WorldSBK and BSB star James Whitham at the Shepherd’s Inn.

"Carlisle is such a hot-bed for us," explained Speight.

"We had McGuinness and Whitham last year, John McGuinness is someone we do a lot of work with.

"And we, as a company, are always looking to go into new areas with new talent for us."

Having grown up on a council estate in Sittingbourne in Kent, and worked night shifts on the London Underground to fund his early career, 42-year-old Byrne won his first BSB title for Bird’s team in 2003.

And after claiming another BSB crown in 2008, he then went on to dominate, winning four more titles over a five-year period in 2012, 2014, 2016 and, most recently, in 2017.

Speight added: "I know Paul [Bird] quite well, he is a lovely guy.

"I think Paul is coming along on the night."

Tickets start from £25, with tickets for the show and a picture with Byrne at £30, while it will cost £79 to also get a 30-minute meet and greet with Byrne on the night. All ticket prices are also subject to booking fees.

For tickets, visit www.mjksportsevents.co.uk or email info@mjksportsevents.co.uk.