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      Alex Scott looks amazing in low-cut top as she interviews Arsenal star Martin Odegaard for BBC’s Football Focus

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      ENGLAND legend Alex Scott revealed she will be interviewing Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard on BBC’s Football Focus.Scott, 38, made the announcement after Odegaard signed a new five-year deal with the Gunners that will see him staying at the Emirates until 2028.

      Alex Scott will interview Arsenal captain Martin OdegaardCredit: Twitter @BBCMOTD
      Arsenal legend Scott and Odegaard will have an exclusive sit-down on Football FocusCredit: Twitter @BBCMOTD
      Scott is currently presenting Football Focus on BBCCredit: Getty
      The pundit, who spent 12 years across three stints with the North Londoners, will have an exclusive sit-down with the attacking midfielder on Saturday.
      Scott announced on Twitter as she posed next to the Norway international: “Catch us on Football Focus.
      “I’m with the main man. Look at that, front page news. See you then.”
      This comes after the BBC denied the future of Football Focus is in doubt after a huge drop in viewing figures.
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      The popular show, which has been on air since 1974, has lost more than a third of its early-season audience in the space of four years.
      Scott replaced Dan Walker, who had anchored the show for 12 years before leaving, in 2021 and the major change coincided with a drop in viewing figures.
      The average viewership dropped by around 18,000 when the switch was made, but the BBC have placed no blame on the former right-back.
      A spokesperson said: “Football Focus continues to herald the start of a whole weekend packed full of sporting coverage for fans across BBC Sport, including radio, our website and Player.
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      “Week-on-week it is the most watched programme during that time slot and iPlayer viewing figures are also strong, so we know its popularity is enduring for fans, wherever they choose to watch.”
      Odegaard insists signing a new deal with Arsenal was a “really easy decision” for “lots of reasons”.
      The 24-year-old added that he has learned to call the Emirates as his “home” ever since his arrival in 2021.
      Odegaard said: “Signing a new contract was a really easy decision for me for lots of reasons.
      “Mainly what we are doing right now as a club is special, and I want to be a part of that.
      “I’m really excited for what’s to come here. I’ve found a place where I can be really settled and call my home.” More

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      Iconic BBC football show starring fan favourites ‘set for axe after dramatic drop in viewing figures’

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      THE future of Football Focus is reportedly in doubt due to a huge drop in viewing figures.The popular BBC show , which has been on air since 1974, has lost more than a third of its early-season audience in the space of four years.
      Football Focus has seen a huge drop in viewing figuresCredit: BBC via Twitter
      Lionesses icon Alex Scott presents the showCredit: Getty
      According to The Daily Mail, the average weekly viewing figures for August fell from 849,000 in 2019 to just 564,000 last month.
      Football Focus is not thought to be under immediate threat, but the long-term future of the show has been plunged into doubt.
      The programme is set to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary next year and BBC chiefs are understood to be considering a major rebrand.
      England legend Alex Scott replaced Dan Walker, who had anchored the show for 12 years before leaving, in 2021 and the major change coincided with a drop in viewing figures.
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      The average viewership dropped by around 18,000 when the switch was made, but the BBC have placed no blame on fan favourite Scott, who has covered several major tournaments as well as the Olympics.
      Raising hopes that the show can survive, a BBC spokesman said: ‘Football Focus continues to herald the start of a whole weekend of sporting coverage across BBC Sport.
      “Week-on-week it is the most watched programme during that time slot and iPlayer viewing figures are also strong, so we know its popularity is enduring for fans.’
      Football Focus would become the second iconic sports show to be axed, following the end of Soccer AM.
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      The popular Sky Sports show was pulled off air at the end of the 2022-23 Premier League season in May.
      It was axed because of a significant drop in weekly viewers.
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      The final episode featured many references to the show’s past, shout-outs to those who worked behind the scenes and final appearances for fan favourites.
      It’s Saturday morning slot has now been taken up by Saturday Social – which previously aired before Soccer AM at 9.30am.
      The football show focuses more on the social media side of the game in the hope of appealing to younger viewers.
      Dan Walker left Football Focus in 2021Credit: PA More

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      Gary Lineker nominates two England stars and former title winner to replace him as MOTD presenter

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      GARY LINEKER has tipped two England stars as potential replacements for him on Match of the Day.And he also nominated a former Leicester City Premier League title winner as another contender to step into the much-loved show’s hotseat in the future.
      Gary Lineker has named his tips to replace him in the Match of the Day hotseatCredit: Alamy
      He mentioned England stars James Maddison and Mason Mount as potential hostsCredit: Reuters
      The legendary ex-England striker worked as a pundit on the long-running programme before replacing Des Lynham as presenter in 1999.
      Lineker hit the headlines back in March after he criticised the Government’s treatment of refugees and likened Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s language to that used in 1930s Germany.
      That led to the BBC suspending him, although he returned to hosting duties after a huge show of support from colleagues and the football world.
      The 62-year-old is now back in the famous chair and recently launched The Rest Is Football podcast alongside MOTD pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
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      During the latest episode, the topic of Lineker’s potential long-term successor came up, with Shearer first bringing up the name of Tottenham attacker James Maddison.
      The Newcastle icon said: “I think James Maddison because I think he talks really, really well.”
      Lineker then added: “He’s very eloquent and he’s very good tactically. I think he’s the best of the players in the post-match interview.”
      He then brought up ex-Leicester star Kasper Schmeichel before throwing Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount’s name into the mix, saying: “Kasper Schmeichel as a goalkeeper, very good. His dad’s done lots of punditry, that’s not a bad shout.
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      “Can you remember Alan, when we did the World Cup in Moscow and there were three young footballers?
      “It was Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Ryan Sessegnon. They came to watch us do the TV shows. And Mason Mount sat in my chair and was doing a few things to camera, and he wasn’t too bad.
      “Who knows, maybe Mason Mount, we’ll see.”
      But Micah Richards has his own ideas – and it was another Leicester City player he had in mind.
      The ex-Man City ace said: “A little bit left field, but Conor Coady. In terms of people want strikers, but I’m going with a defender.
      “He knows the game really well, speaks really good. I’ve worked with him on Match of the Day and he’s done Sky as well.”
      Former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was also mentioned by LinekerCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      I played for Worcester City Ladies and was bodybuilding superstar… now I’m appearing in hit BBC show reboot

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      FORMER Worcester City Ladies player Livi Sheldon once swapped football for bodybuilding.And she is now set to feature in the comeback of hit show Gladiators.
      Livi Sheldon is set to star in he reboot of GladiatorsCredit: Instagram @livisheldon
      Sheldon used to play for Worcester City LadiesCredit: Instagram @livisheldon
      She has been a finalist in a bodybuilding competitionCredit: Instagram @livisheldon
      Sheldon has 12,100 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @livisheldon
      Sheldon had a passion for sport from the age of six when she begun playing in a boys football team.
      Standing at 6ft tall, she beat the bullies that picked on her due to her height and she was eventually signed by Worcester City Ladies.
      Sheldon was soon made captain of the team that now play in the fifth tier of women’s football.
      The 29-year-old balanced the beautiful game with hitting the gym as she launched a career in bodybuilding.
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      Her hard work led to her being a finalist in the ‘England Toned Figure’ competition.
      And the influencer, with 12,100 followers on Instagram, has now been confirmed as one of the Gladiators ahead of the popular programme’s reboot.
      The BBC series hosted by Bradley Walsh is set to hit screens this autumn.
      Filming has taken place over the summer and it is a remake of the show which first aired in the 1990s and early 2000s.
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      Livi Sheldon will be nicknamed Diamond in the BBC seriesCredit: Instagram @livisheldon
      She has described the Gladiators chance as a dream opportunityCredit: Instagram @livisheldon
      Sheldon will star as a Gladiator nicknamed “Diamond” due to her “unbreakable strength and spirit.”
      On the struggles she has faced and the chance to show off her super strength on tele, she said: “When I was growing up I used to get picked on for being taller than everyone else.
      “Now I get to show everyone that being unique is your superpower.
      “I can’t wait to get into the arena and take on the contenders as Diamond.
      “If there was an opportunity I could wish for this would be it.
      “This truly is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me.”
      The blonde bombshell also posts workout videos onlineCredit: Instagram @livisheldon More

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      My dad was one of the greatest footballers ever – my career was completely different but now I’m a football chairman

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      REALITY TV icon Calum Best has announced he is now the chairman of Dorking Wanderers FC’s women’s team.The son of football superstar George Best has taken some time away from his reality TV career to get involved with his father’s old passion.
      Calum Best has confirmed he is now chairman of Dorking Wanderers women’s teamCredit: Getty
      The 42-year-old was approached by his friend Marc White – the owner of Dorking Wanderers Football Club – to see if he’d like to take the volunteer position of chairman for his team.
      Calum could not have turned down the opportunity of working in women’s football after being an active campaigner for the Her Game Too movement.
      It aims to tackle sexism and champion women’s football.
      Calum told the BBC: “I’d never even thought of being involved in football like this before.
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      “But, I thought there was the opportunity to do something positive for women’s football. And, of course, I quite liked the title.”
      There has been huge growth in interest in women’s football – not least since the Lionesses’ success at the Euros last summer.
      Dorking only formed in 2020 but have quickly established themselves and they now play in the London and South East Premier Women’s League – tier 5 of the women’s football pyramid.
      Calum also confirmed the team have been filming a BBC series titled “Squad Goals: Dorking ‘Til I Die”.
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      But he admitted he took the role before receiving the TV deal.
      He continued: “I took the role before any television was involved.
      “I’ve done a lot of reality TV, but I took the role as chairman for a different reason.
      “I just wanted to do something exciting and to learn as much as possible as I go.
      “It is all new, but this is a professional role. I think people who have watched me on TV before will see a very different side to me.”
      The Celebrity Love Island star grew up loving the game – his father George Best has been regarded as one the greatest players of all time in the sport.
      George spent the best part of his career at Manchester United, making 470 appearances and scoring a whopping 179 goals.
      He passed away in 2005 aged 59 as a result of alcohol addiction – meaning Calum had been raised by his mother Angie Best
      Calum said the decision to champion women’s football was linked to his childhood.
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      He added: “I was raised by my mother, so I’ve been surrounded by women my whole life.
      “Working for a ladies’ team has opened my eyes up to parts of the game I’ve never really known before.”
      Calum Best with his mother Angie Best and father GeorgeCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Leicester legend Jamie Vardy roasts Tottenham live on stage at BBC Radio 2 in the Park festival

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      LEICESTER legend Jamie Vardy roasted Tottenham live on stage at the BBC Radio 2 in the Park Festival.The 36-year-old was on stage at the two-day event in Leicester to introduce a DJ set by broadcaster Vernon Kay.
      Jamie Vardy took to the stage in LeicesterCredit: Twitter @SimmsLCFC89
      Jamie Vardy roasted Tottenham on stage at BBC Radio 2 in the Park FestivalCredit: Getty
      Warming up the crowd before Kay’s set, Vardy said: “Where are all the Tottenham fans?”
      The question was met with many boos and then Vardy replied: “Still got no bottle!”
      Former England forward Vardy was part of the Leicester squad that won the Premier League against the 5,000/1 odds in the 2015/16 season.
      Spurs were their nearest rivals for the title for most of the season, although Arsenal forced Tottenham into third on the final day.
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      Many opposition fans later suggested Leicester won the league as Spurs ‘bottled’ their best chance to win the Premier League.
      However, new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has made a smashing start to this year’s campaign.
      Spurs are yet to be beaten and are second in the league table.
      They’ve won four and drawn one of their five league matches, their only defeat was getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup last month by Fulham.
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      Tottenham fans took to social media to respond to Vardy’s roast, hitting back by saying there is no rivalry with the Foxes and also pointing out they were relegated from the Premier League last term.
      One fan said: “Are we supposed to have a rivalry with these guys?💀😭”
      Another added: “Why are you guys so obsessed with Spurs? We literally couldn’t care less about your tiny club😂.”
      A third put: “From a bloke who got his team relegated and playing the championship.”
      Leicester have made a good start to life in the Championship, finding themselves second with five wins from six.
      Vardy has scored 172 goals during his 11-year spell at the Foxes including a goal and one assist this term. More

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      West Ham legend fights back tears as historic football memorabilia from heyday restored – and even host wells up

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      FORMER West Ham goalkeeper Peter Grotier fought back tears at the sight of his most treasured piece of football memorabilia after it was restored on The Repair Shop. The football legend got emotional over a 50-year-old memento from his heyday during his appearance on last week’s episode of the BBC show. 
      Former West Ham goalkeeper Peter Grotier fought back tears at the sight of his most treasured piece of football memorabilia after it has been restored on The Repair ShopCredit: BBC
      Peter held onto a programme from West Ham’s 1970 match against SantosCredit: BBC
      Peter, 72, played for West Ham United from 1969 to 1974. During that time, he played in what he calls one of the greatest matches of his career. 
      In 1970, right after Brazil won the World Cup, Peter and his West Ham teammates flew out to New York for an exhibition match against Brazilian football club Santos FC and he was surrounded by football legends. 
      He played alongside his hero Sir Bobby Moore and they faced off against his other footballing hero, Pelé. 
      Peter recalled the time fondly. He revealed: “I’m 19 years of age and I’m flying out in a jumbo jet out to New York, and I’m going to play against the greatest goal-scorer that’s ever been.”
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      During the match, Peter defended the net for the entire first half and the first minute of the second half and was thrilled to get to see his hero in action. He didn’t even mind when Pelé got two goals past him. 
      The match ended with a 2-2 draw and a special meeting between Peter and his hero. And, he ended up with a special memento to remember the say – a programme from that match which Pelé had signed for him. 
      But, unfortunately, over the years, the memento had faded and become increasingly fragile and unstable so he decided to take it to The Repair Shop. 
      On the show, Peter admitted: “The reason why it got in such a bad condition was because my family, we moved around to eight different houses, so it was packed away and folded, something I should never have done.”
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      Thankfully, The Repair Shop’s paper conservator, Angelina Bakalarou, was able to restore the programme to its former glory. 
      The transformation made Peter quite emotional.
      “Oh, wow! Oh, wow!” he reacted upon seeing the restored programme.
      “Yeah, that’s unbelievable. I actually feel I can open it now without – fantastic,” he said, getting a better look at the programme. 
      After examining it closely, he said: “The signature hasn’t been damaged at all. That looks really good, really good.
      “Of all the things I’ve kept, this is the one that means the most to me,” Peter added. 
      The former footballer started to well up and fought back tears as he recalled the “good memories” that the programme evokes. 
      “Just picking that up, I could see myself standing on the touchline before we went out to play.”
      “It was a big thing in my life to play in that game and it all comes flooding back now. So, thank you very much.”
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      Angelina appeared equally emotional at Peter’s words and was touched when the former West Ham star shared his plans to leave his cherished memento to his 17-year-old grandson Joseph, who has promised to never sell it.
      Joseph has followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by captaining the Essex side Wivenhoe Town FC Under-18s.
      Peter welled up at the sight of the newly restored programmeCredit: BBC
      He was thrilled that Pelé’s signature was in perfect conditionCredit: BBC More

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      Gary Lineker can’t resist cheeky sex joke to Alan Shearer on Match of the Day after awkward moment at live Wolves game

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      GARY LINEKER left Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy in stitches on Match of the Day with a cheeky sex joke. The host could not resist the quip with the show set to feature highlights of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolves.
      Gary Lineker made a cheeky sex joke as he introduced Match of the DayCredit: Getty
      Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy found it hilariousCredit: BBC
      Lineker, Shearer and Murphy were previously the victims of a prank when the two sides met in January.
      Wolves were facing Liverpool in a FA Cup tie live on the BBC when sex noises began to blast around the studio.
      The trio continued broadcasting as panic, awkwardness and confusion set in as to where the sound was coming from.
      It eventually emerged prankster Jarvo69 had planted a phone to play the noises.
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      Lineker began yesterday’s show by hilariously referencing the incident, saying: “I’m joined by Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy, and I’m a bit nervous, to be honest.
      “We’ve got Liverpool and Wolves to come up a little later, and the last time you two were on with that game things got a little steamy.
      “Please tell me you’ve turned your phones off.”
      Lineker joked about the situation before in his first broadcast after it occurred, saying on Match of the Day: “Six games on the way, let’s hope we’re not rudely interrupted.
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      “Jermaine Jenas and Danny Murphy here. Danny, have you turned your phone off?”
      Jarvo revealed after the prank he sneaked into the studio by posing as part of the TV crew in the days leading up to the match to plant the device.
      He told SunSport: “These things are all about confidence. We got in because we made it look like we were meant to be there, so no one bats an eyelid.
      “There were about four staff working in the studio. We tried not to speak to them much, just saying ‘How are you?’
      “Our plan was to strap it under a chair or the table, but they might’ve got suspicious if we started moving stuff around.
      “So we strapped it to the top of the wall and because of the colour no one could see it.
      “We had a cheers with the beers afterwards then it was a waiting game, hoping no one had found the phone.”
      Lineker and Shearer awkwardly spoke over the loud sex noisesCredit: BBC
      A phone was planted in the studio by a pranksterCredit: @GaryLineker More