A SKY SPORTS cameramen stepped out from behind the lens to join in Saints’ Grand Final celebrations up close — with his former school classmate Paul Wellens.

Karl Rooney’s smile was there for all to see as the side defeated Wigan to pick up their first Super League title in eight years.

The 34-year-old, who has worked freelance for Sky’s rugby league coverage for five years, grew up in the town before moving down to London to study.

And for Karl, who had worked on a couple of Saints’ Super League Grand Final defeats, it was a special night to see Wello and the boys lift the trophy at the Theatre of Dreams.

He told the Star: “It was just an amazing day,” said Karl, who directed a live DVD of Mrs Brown's Boys at the Echo Arena and has shadowed directors on several high profile TV sitcoms including Not Going Out, Citizen Khan and Count Arthur Strong.

“Obviously I was concentrating on work at the same time but it was really nerve-wracking and a big adrenaline rush and great privilege to be next to them when they lifted the trophy.”

And Karl, who was in the same school year as skipper Wellens at De La Salle secondary school, enjoyed mixing in with the players for the post-match celebrations.

But it wasn’t quite all plain sailing as Karl took a tumble following Tommy Makinson’s second half try, which sealed the result for Saints.

“I was running on to the pitch to get the try scorer and I slipped but thankfully the camera wasn’t broken and I could carry on. I thought that I’d got away with it but a camera had caught it!”

Karl, whose parents live in Windle, anticipates his Saints loyalties may earn him a bit of flack around the grounds next season.

He added: “I probably will get some stick next season but it’s all good. It is all friendly banter even with the people that I work with!”