Johnson almost missed parade

Martin Johnson, England's World Cup winning captain, and several other members of the team, had to make a frantic dash to central London today after being late for the original pickup point for today's celebration parade.

The Leicester members of the squad - Johnson, Neil Back, Lewis Moody, Dorian West, Ben Kay, Julian White and Martin Corry - never made it to the Twickenham starting point for the day that includes a reception at Buckingham Palace and a trip to Downing Street.

A lorry crash on the M1 caused a major delay and they went direct to Hyde Park Corner, arriving just before the rest of the squad at their central London hotel.

Mike Tindall and several other players were also delayed when they were caught up in traffic caused by the amazing crowd scenes of what police estimated to be at least 500,000 people. The team then had to wait for Andy Gomarsall to have a shave.

Ben Cohen, whose uncle George was a member of the 1966 England World Cup team, revealed his uncle had been right about the effects winning the cup would have on the Northampton wing's life.

Cohen said: "It is life changing and I don't know when things will return to normal. My uncle was right about that.

"It hasn't all been celebration. I played at Llanelli and the locals shouted: 'We still hate you'. So nothing changes.

"When I go out people are extremely kind. I went to pay for a meal for 10 and they wouldn't accept any money. No doubt, that's not going to stay like that forever."

Jonny Wilkinson admitted he had turned down a £1million Hello! photoshoot because it didn't fit in with the way he wants his life to run.

Wilkinson, who will forever be linked with the last-gasp drop-goal that won the cup, said: "Part of my personality is not being involved in that kind of thing (Hello! magazine) and I have already started concentrating on my new job with Newcastle.

"Everyone is very proud of the team and this is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation to those fantastic supporters."