Secretive tycoon revealed

Mike Ashley, the secretive owner of Sports World, has spoken publicly for the first time today and released the first picture of him (right, with Sports World chief executive Dave Forsey) for 20 years.

In a conference call with journalists today, Ashley, who has been linked with a£2.5 billion float or partial sale of the business, said no decisions had been made on the future of the company.

'I'm a private manrunning a private business,' said Ashley, 41. 'I'm focused, as you'd expect, on Christmas.'

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