A couple 'saved' by Ashes hero Ben Stokes are calling for him to be knighted after his triumph with the England cricket team.
Kai Barry, 28, and William O'Connor, 22, say they were protected by the all-rounder after they suffered homophobic abuse outside Mbargo nightclub in the Clifton Triangle.
They were allegedly targeted by a group in the early hours of September 25, 2017.
Now the pair say Stokes should be knighted after 'saving' England's Ashes dreams with his 135 not out on Sunday.
Mr Barry told The Sun: “There’s no question he should get a knighthood. He saved us, now he’s saved the Ashes.
"Ben risked his career for us. He’s my hero. He’s showed immense strength of character.
“I thought he was just a normal lad, sticking up for someone who was weaker than he was, which was quite nice.
“When I realised who he was I thought ‘fair play’, because obviously he’s put his career on risk for someone he never knew.”
Mr O’Connor added: “He could see the people doing what they were doing and how homophobic they were and how nasty they came across."
'Extraordinary'
Stokes' Ashes performance is being praised as one of the most incredible displays from an Englishman in the history of Test cricket.
England were bowled out for a dismal 67 in the first innings and appeared to be facing certain defeat at 286-9 in pursuit of 359, but Stokes' unbeaten 135 saw them triumph.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke about Stokes' heroics at the G7 summit in Biarritz on Monday night, saying: “I thought it was one of the most extraordinary things I've ever seen, the shots I saw were absolutely incredible.
“I think I've already promised that Ben Stokes should get a dukedom, so I can't go any higher than that.
“Clearly it's not a matter for me. There's some honours committee or other and I am sure they will take the appropriate decision in due course.”
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