Scott Nicholls is delighted he moved to Brighton.

He loves exploring the city and nearby Sussex coast and countryside with his TV presenter wife Sophie Blake and their daughter Maya.

Pictures taken at the seafront and pier, the undercliff walk towards Saltdean, Devil’s Dyke and further afield to Littlehampton beach, Amberley and Drusillas all feature in the family’s social media accounts.

But Eastbourne Eagles will hope to give their former No.1 anything but a fun ride when he returns to their corner of the county.

Nicholls will be the star attraction for a Leicester side who tackle the Fineprint Eagles at Arlington on Sunday (3.30pm).

It is the first home league fixture of a new adventure which has already seen Eagles reach the last four of the Championship Shield.

Nicholls helped Eastbourne to Knockout Cup success back in 2008, when they were in the Elite League.

He lived in his native Suffolk back then but has since moved to Brighton, where Sophie’s sister was already based.

The former Grand Prix racer said: “Sophie made the sacrifice of giving up her career and moving to Suffolk when I needed to be there.

“We had an agreement when my career slowed up, we would move south.

“I’ve now stopped riding GPs and overseas leagues and we love it here. It’s also a really cool place for Maya to grow up.

“I’m really enjoying it although it’s a bit more travelling for me to get to meetings.”

Nicholls’ home tracks this year are both in the Midlands, given he also rides for Wolverhampton in the Premiership.

His presence at Leicester boosts their chances of Championship honours. They will look to underline that when Eagles visit them tomorrow.

But Nicholls believes Eastbourne can also aim high in their first season back in the professional ranks.

He said: “I suppose being in Brighton now, it would have been quite handy to ride for Eastbourne but I’m enjoying Leicester.

“We have a good team and we are confident we can do well, as both teams could. Eastbourne have got a lot of experience in terms of their promotion and their riders.”

Eagles: Kennett, Morley, Bowtell, Kerr, Lawson, Wood, Brennan.

Leicester: Nicholls, Mountain, Bates, TBA, Worrall, Thomas, Perks.