Shamed Adam Johnson turns 29 and celebrates with a card from his daughter Ayla

SHAMED footie star Adam Johnson is celebrating his birthday behind bars today – with a card from his 18-month-old daughter Ayla taking pride of place on his wall.

It is the first birthday the sick paedo, 29 today, has spent in prison since his conviction earlier this year for sexual activity with a child.

The former Sunderland hero can look forward to a birthday breakfast of pre-prepared pack – handed out the night before – of basics including cereal, bread, tea and coffee.

Loved ones including ex Stacey Flounders, his sister Faye and parents David and Sonia will have been told to post cards well in advance as the postal service in prison is notoriously slow.

Last night a former inmate revealed: “Anyone’s first birthday inside is a grim occasion – especially someone who has fallen a long way.

“But receiving cards does lift the spirits and sometimes a fellow prisoner who knows might give you a chocolate bar as a present.

“Believe me that can mean a lot.

“Johnson will be feeling low when he wakes up in his cell a year older and in very different circumstances to his last birthday.”

Johnson's younger sister Faye took to Instagram and Twitter to share an emotional birthday message for her brother.

Faye made a collage of photos of the pair together from childhood and as they grew up to wish him a happy birthday.

The devoted sibling wrote: "Massive happy birthday to my brother and my best friend!
"Miss you, see you soon! Love #tbt."

A year ago the ex-England winger was preparing for the new season with the Black Cats – despite being charged with sex crimes against a child.

But tomorrow he’ll be wondering how many more prison birthdays he’ll have to endure.

The disgraced star was told earlier in the week that he cannot appeal against his conviction and six-year sentence.

The former £60,000-a-year player is fortunate that his 29th birthday falls on a visiting day and he can at least meet his family for two hours in the afternoon.

The source said: “That is a great bonus.

“It will make the day feel a little more special because at least he can see his family and share some soft drinks and snacks with them in the visiting room.

“That will make him feel a little more human and not completely detached from the outside world.”

Ex-partner Stacey took little Ayla, one, to see Johnson at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, South Yorks., for the first time last week.

He was sent down in March after admitting grooming and sexual activity with a child.

He was also convicted of a further charge of sexual activity with the teenage fan.

His lawyers submitted legal papers challenging the conviction and the severity of the sentence.

But 23-year-old Faye – who set up a Facebook page called Adam Johnson’s Appeal Fight – revealed the news that the right to appeal had been denied.

She posted: “Absolutely devastated that the ‘single Judge has rejected my brother’s appeal against sentence and conviction’.

“But I can assure every supporter that I will never give up!”

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