The founder of JJB Sports, Dave Whelan, has come to the rescue of the troubled retailer by agreeing to purchase the company’s fitness club business which will be re-branded as DW Sports Fitness. com.

Dave Whelan has confirmed his acquisition of JJB Sport's fitness clubs.

Whelan, the founder of JJB Sports, has bought the fitness business today according to the Press Association.

Dave Whelan’s purchase of the JJB fitness clubs is part of a bigger venture into the retail industry, selling brand name sporting goods, equipment, footwear and clothing- everything that JJB Sports was in fact.

Whelan is understood to have confirmed his acquisition at a press conference for the renaming of Wigan's JJB Stadium, which will be called the DW Stadium, reflecting the name of his new business DW Sports Fitness.

A JJB spokesman said: "As far as the company is concerned the deal is not confirmed until there is an RNS announcement."