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    Inside MOTD’s ‘new signing’ Kelly Cates’ rise to top, from famous babysitter to brutal reason her footie career ended

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    LISTENING intently to her dad and his mates’ football chat as a youngster, Kelly Cates could not have had a better preparation to host Match Of The Day.For her father is Sir Kenny Dalglish — pride of Celtic and Liverpool’s Kop, with a record 102 Scottish caps, three European Cups and a clutch of league titles to his name as both a player and a manager.Kelly Cates could not have had a better preparation to host Match Of The DayCredit: GettySharing a light-hearted moment pitchside with her dad, Reds legend Kenny DalglishCredit: AlamyKelly aged four at Anfield in 1980 with mum, dad, brother Paul and the League Championship trophyCredit: GettyAnd those mates often included ­fellow medal-laden Reds Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen, both now top pundits themselves.Kelly’s one-time babysitter Graeme once said: “She is fantastic at this job because she has been in a football house all her life, listened to the daft chat on football from all of us since she was tiny.“I’d be in the living room, Alan Hansen would be in there, opinions going out all over. “She had a great insight into how this football world works.”Read More on SportWhile Kelly has absorbed the game from some of its greatest names, it’s her own deft skills behind the mic that have seen her rise to the very top in sports broadcasting.Now, alongside friends Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, the 49-year-old is reported to be about to take over the Match Of The Day presenter’s chair from Gary Lineker.In a considerable coup for the BBC, reports suggest the corporation has managed to prise Kelly away from Sky Sports to present its flagship football programme.But she can still expect a text from her dad when she is on air if King Kenny is riled by the punditry from her guests.Most read in FootballShe revealed last month: “He texts [when she is on air], especially if my mum’s not there.Selleck ’tache“It’s if he doesn’t have anybody to sound off on. I was driving into work and decided not to sign my Sky Sports contract – it’s the scariest decision I ever made“He’ll hear a bit of our conversation, and then he will text me to chip in.“If it really bothers him, he’ll phone me on the way home.”Born the eldest of four children in Glasgow, Kelly was brought up in Southport, Merseyside, after her dad signed for Liverpool from Celtic in 1977.Her mum Marina once said: “Glasgow and Liverpool are very similar.“It’s the people — they are so friendly in both cities. “So it was very, very easy for us to settle here.”At the time Kelly was almost two years old and her brother Paul, who went on to play for Newcastle, ­Norwich and Wigan, was a baby.Two more siblings, Lynsey and Lauren, followed.Liverpool fan Kelly was always immersed in football, and said: “When I was a baby my mum took me to matches to watch my dad play.My earliest memories are of being in the players’ lounge with the other players’ childrenKelly Cates“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t go to football games.“My earliest memories are of being in the players’ lounge with the other players’ children.”Kelly in 1979 with dad Kenny’s Liverpool team-mate Graeme Souness, who used to babysit herDad Kenny with family friends Souness and Hansen celebrate Liverpool’s European Cup in 1978Credit: GettyKelly with fellow Sky presenters Clare Tomlinson and Carrie Frais in 1998Credit: RexGraeme — Kenny’s fellow Scotland international — was sometimes roped in for childcare duties. A black and white photo from 1979 shows four-year-old Kelly poking out her tongue at the hardman midfielder with the Tom Selleck ’tache and bushy hair.He recalled: “Kenny and I roomed together for ten years or more with Liverpool and Scotland and I was a regular at his place.“I was single and would turn up for Christmas lunch. “I used to babysit — or not necessarily babysit. “I’d ­volunteer to take Kelly out in her pram in the afternoons.I was single and would turn up for Christmas lunch. I used to babysit — or not necessarily babysit. I’d ­volunteer to take Kelly out in her pram in the afternoonsGraeme Souness“Without realising it, she was my introduction to some lovely young ladies. “I’d be walking along, and then, ‘What a gorgeous baby, you seen this baby?’ ”Despite her father’s elevated status as a Liverpool and Scotland legend, Kelly recalled: “When he was home he was just Dad.“I recall going to a Rod Stewart concert at Ibrox [stadium] once and him being stopped every ten metres walking around the pitch.“I was about seven and found it so weird — like, ‘What do they want with him?’“It was the same with his team-mates — to me they were always just Dad’s friends, sitting around arguing about football.”Her own efforts as a player were not a roaring success.Kelly with fiery pundit Roy KeaneCredit: MatchDay Images LimitedKelly is reported to be about to take over the Match Of The Day presenter’s chair from Gary Lineker – pictured Gabby LoganCredit: PAKelly’s pal and MOTD co-host Mark ChapmanCredit: GettyKelly said: “When I was 11 I was playing football on some concrete. I ran down the wing thinking, ‘Oh, this will be easy’, tripped over and knocked myself out. “That was the end of my football career.”After A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry, she won a place to read maths at the University of Glasgow.Then when Sky Sports News was launched in 1998, she made the brave move to give up her studies and join the fledgling station.She said: “The channel was looking for young people who loved football.“It was new, and no one was watching, so they pretty much said to us,“There wasn’t a massive budget but Sky just wanted young, enthusiastic people and they didn’t want to take too much of a risk by putting their best people on it.‘Go and play at being on the telly!’“It was a huge decision to leave university, but I thought, ‘This isn’t an opportunity I’m going to get again’.”On her broadcasting inspirations, Kelly mentions Des Lynam — who fronted Match Of The Day through the 1990s with brilliant understatement — and Gabby Logan, another daughter of a football icon, former Wales international and manager Terry Yorath.Kelly said: “Des was the gold ­standard. “He had that sense of being engaged with fans and got every ­single aspect of it right.“I loved that tone. “It’s the kind of tone that I like watching and ­listening to.“It kind of makes sense that I’d aim for, but not quite reach, that.“I always looked at Gabby’s career progress and watched her journey.“It was brilliant to see, and even though she’s not much older than me, it felt like she was always the next step.”It was undoubtedly a male-dominated profession, but Kelly insisted: “I wasn’t a trailblazer.“There were already people who put the groundwork in, like Gabby and Hazel Irvine. “I never have [encountered sexism] but I know other female reporters have.“Obviously you see a lot more women on screen now, but I’d like to see that backed up in the same numbers behind the cameras as well.“Now I’m older, I feel much more protective of younger women coming into the industry.”After Sky Sports News, Kelly worked as an interviewer and presenter for sports channels Setanta and ESPN. Then came work as a reporter for ITV at the 2010 World Cup, and for Channel 4 at the 2012 London Paralympics.She presented a Football League highlights show for Channel Five before being lured back to Sky Sports in 2016.At the helmOriginally at the helm for Football League matches, Kelly went on to become one of the most respected presenters on big Premier League fixtures.Working with Gary Neville, Jamie “Carra” Carragher and Roy Keane, she considers the current era to be a “golden age” for punditry.She said: “It’s not necessarily the players who play football naturally who talk about it in the best way.“It’s the ones who really worked at their game. “Carra, when he was playing, would go home and watch videos of Franco Baresi and other great defenders constantly, so he learnt.”Now Kelly — who also hosts a BBC Radio 5 show — is rated among the nation’s very foremost broadcasters by her peers and fans alike.Her friend and TV colleague Gabby, 51, says Kelly has an “effortless broadcast style and depth of knowledge that can pretty much rival anybody”.And she added that Kelly can also “disarm the likes of Roy Keane with a single eyebrow when she wants to shut him up”.Kelly’s formative years immersed in football mean she brings an understanding of the stresses that managers have to cope with daily.She continued: “I’ve had managers get a bit annoyed by a question but it’s often not me they are angry at. “They are under a lot of pressure.”In 2007 Kelly married TV ­producer Tom Cates and the couple had two daughters.They split in 2021, and Kelly said last month: “The girls are with their dad at weekends.“Although we’re not together, we get on fine and he’s really flexible with the girls, so we manage it mostly between us.I worked for ESPN years ago and they had a mantra of ‘Take the sport seriously but don’t take yourself seriously’. For me, that’s the best approachKelly Cates“The girls are getting a bit older now and they think they don’t need as much [from us] — that’s what they tell us, but they do.”In 2021 she revealed she was wary of dating, and added: “I don’t have a picture in my head of why a middle-aged, slightly overweight, mother-of-two could possibly be attractive. “It’s not that I’m putting myself down, it’s not a lack of confidence or low self-esteem — it’s that I just don’t know what that would look like.“I don’t want to spend my precious free time with a random.“Imagine going out with somebody and you sit there halfway through and think, ‘God, this guy’s an idiot’, you’ve just wasted a babysitter.”If Kelly has indeed landed sports broadcasting’s jewel in the crown, don’t expect this down-to-earth and seemingly unflappable presenter to start picking up airs and graces.READ MORE SUN STORIESLast month she said with characteristic modesty: “I worked for ESPN years ago and they had a mantra of ‘Take the sport seriously but don’t take yourself seriously’. “For me, that’s the best approach.”Gary Lineker is stepping down as MOTD hostCredit: BBCA HAT-TRICKOF QUALITY TV TALENTBy SHAUN CUSTIS, Head of SportYOU may not agree with the BBC’s decision to split presenting duties on Match Of The Day. But if that’s the way they have decided to go, they could not have picked three better people for the job.I’ve worked with Kelly Cates many times and she is the consummate professional.The fact many people didn’t realise she is the great Kenny Dalglish’s daughter speaks volumes for her talent on TV.She wasn’t handed her career.She had to prove herself to get the top jobs and did so by developing a relaxed but knowledgeable style which puts guests at ease and chimes well with viewers.Her fellow presenters, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, have also more than earned their stripes. Chapman is a brilliant all-rounder who, in my view, is the best sports presenter on radio and TV, while Logan rose up through the radio ranks to host the biggest shows on BBC Sport.They are a dynamic trio. More

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      in Soccer

      How football’s new power couple Marcus Rashford and wag Grace Jackson could rake in millions as the next Posh and Becks

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      SHE was the Love Island bombshell sent into the TV villa to shake up old flame Joey Essex and tipped to rake in millions, just like Molly-Mae Hague.And now Grace Rosa Jackson is the new beauty on the arm of England ace Marcus Rashford, 27, who she has been dating for several months.TV star Grace Rosa Jackson is dating England ace Marcus RashfordCredit: RexManchester United star Marcus has been on a series of dates with GraceCredit: GettyAn insider told The Sun the pair are “smitten” after the footballer “whisked her off on numerous dates around Cheshire” and they are said to “get on really well and have lots in common”.Marcus appears to have found the perfect blend of brains and beauty in Grace, 26, who is a savvy businesswoman as well as a fashion model and social media influencer.And brand expert Carla Speight thinks football’s latest power couple is a true “meeting of the minds” who could even become the new Posh and Becks.“Grace has got the potential to be the next Victoria Beckham — she’s already aware of the industry and she will do Marcus a lot of good, too,” Carla says.READ MORE ON GRACE Marcus is 27 now, so if he’s smart he will be looking beyond his football career.Carla Speight, brand expert“He had a taste of how far he could go with his successful school meals campaign during the pandemic, so he knows he can use his profile as a force for good.“It will be interesting to see what power move they will make together.“Marcus is 27 now, so if he’s smart he will be looking beyond his football career. He’s signed up to Jay-Z’s management company, Roc Nation.“He could follow in the footsteps of David Beckham. Marcus has already done the sportswear stuff, but has been otherwise low-key, so it will be interesting to see where this Love Island ­influence takes him.”Most read in Football‘Born for Love Island’Mancunian Grace was predicted to become the first millionaire from this year’s Love Island series — with brands queuing up to sign her, including retail giant PrettyLittleThing.In fact, immediately after leaving the villa in August, Grace signed a lucrative six-figure contract with fashion firm EGO, which her rep claimed was “a huge moment” because “no other islander has done anything like this for a first deal”.Love Island fans spot ‘clue’ that Grace’s head has already been turned by Casa hunkMany compared her to Molly-Mae Hague, the now ex-girlfriend of boxer Tommy Fury, who went from serving customers in Boots and working as a part-time lifeguard to raking in more than £6million as a model and ­influencer, with 8.3million followers.A source at the time told The Sun: “Grace is on course to be a millionaire already and a lot of brands are calling her the next Molly-Mae.”Even before heading into the Love Island villa, Grace had a blossoming career, having modelled for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty line and online store Fashion Nova — as well as working alongside Conor McGregor to promote his Irish stout. She was also reported to have been a co-owner of Social Clubhouse, a social media management firm that launched in 2021, and events company Vamos, although she is no longer listed on the books of either at Companies House.This September, she set up her own media business, Grace Rosa Ltd. Grace’s Instagram page, which boasts 593,000 ­followers, showcases the sexiest, skimpiest and most ­stylish outfits of 2024 — which she seems to have cleverly monetised.The snaps, which she savvily signposts for fans to “shop the look”, are from enviable locations around the world and have led online ­commentators to say she was “born for Love Island”.She entertains fans with posts from stunning beaches in Marbella and Miami, Ibiza yacht parties, chic ­Parisian bars, red carpet premieres in ­London and, occasionally, from her home town of Manchester.To sit in and be single — I can’t understand why I would do that at my peak and in my mid-20s.Grace Rosa JacksonWith such a hectic schedule, it’s no surprise the aspiring star ­previously struggled to find love, once complaining: “They can’t keep up with my lifestyle!“I like to go out and go abroad a lot . . . it’s the life that I want and it helps with business. “To sit in and be single — I can’t understand why I would do that at my peak and in my mid-20s.”Grace hooked up with telly lothario Joey Essex in the Love Island villaCredit: ITVA brand expert says ‘Grace has got the potential to be the next Victoria Beckham’Credit: instagram/gracexrosaMarcus was engaged to childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, who he met aged 15, but they split in 2023Credit: GettyIt’s that reason, and the chance of life-changing career opportunities from exposure, that led Grace to appear on Love Island in June.At the time, she said: “This is something that would push me out of my comfort zone — I don’t really date a lot. I get myself in situationships with people I know that I shouldn’t give my time to.”And producers were thrilled by the prospect of her entering as a bomb-shell, too. An insider dubbed Grace “the perfect contestant” due to her stunning looks and one other big ­ratings-puller — she was the ex of The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex. He was Love Island’s surprise contestant and the only islander this year who was already famous.As soon as Grace entered the villa on Day 12, the reality show veteran’s head was turned, despite him having already coupled up with Liverpudlian make-up artist Samantha Kenny.On the show, Grace revealed they’d “had a thing” after meeting in Ibiza the previous summer. The pair had also been pictured at a Halloween party in matching themed outfits as Batman villains Harley Quinn and The Joker.But she revealed their “intense” romance ended on “frosty terms”, which left her “hurt and confused”.Despite downplaying the relationship, the pair were soon making up for lost time. They had a series of steamy snogs, in spite of Samantha, before Grace chose to whisk Joey away for a night of passion in the separate Hideaway private villa.Footage of the couple’s antics was said to be so X-rated that sex-scene-loving Love Island bosses were “spoilt for choice” and had to leave footage on the cutting room floor.An insider explained at the time: “Because they knew each other before, their entire relationship is on fast forward and it’s steamy stuff — Joey can’t keep his hands off her.”They coupled up shortly after, with Grace believing they could go the distance outside the villa due to her being willing to move to Essex — said to be a hurdle during their previous fling. But within days, their romance had crumbled after new blonde bombshell Jessy Potts won over the reality hunk.While it didn’t work out for Joey and Grace, who also briefly dated fellow contestant Reuben Collins, she insisted there was no animosity and “no awkwardness” after they went “back to real life”. She also had plenty of distractions to keep her mind off the Towie star thanks to the raft of new opportunities boosting her career, as she continues to benefit from the ­exposure of such a high-profile reality romance.And now Grace’s star could be on the rise again since being linked to Three Lions wonderboy Marcus.The footie ace was previously engaged to childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, who he met aged 15, but they split in the summer of 2023.The striker is now Man United’s second highest-paid star on £325,000 a week — but he could earn considerably more if their romance lasts and they join forces for deals.I can see Grace reviving Wag culture, which died a death after Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. Grace could bring the spotlight back on to the ladies.Carla Speight, brand expertBut unlike Wags without careers, who are forced to depend upon their sports star partners, Grace is a force to be reckoned with away from Marcus’s millions. With his football fandom and her fashion following, they could be a top-tier power couple to rival any of the Premier League couplings.“I’m sure every girl dreams of dating a footballer and Marcus is definitely an upgrade from Joey Essex,” says Carla. “I can see Grace reviving Wag culture, which died a death after Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. Grace could bring the spotlight back on to the ladies.“With her skillset, she could be very useful to the Wags of these footballers. READ MORE SUN STORIES”She could guide Marcus as well with the brand deals and future opportunities, because she has done that for herself. With his profile and her business head, this is a real meeting of minds.“She has enough profile to ­survive without Marcus, but it will help her level up. It will be interesting to see where they go next.”Grace found fame on ITV dating show Love IslandCredit: instagram/gracexrosaThe beauty has a large social media followingCredit: ITVMancunian Grace was predicted to become the first millionaire of this year’s Love Island seriesCredit: instagram/gracexrosaStriker Marcus is currently United’s second highest-paid player on £325,000-a-weekCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      My family hammered me after my first MOTD appearance but hosting TV’s best football show is an honour, says Gary Lineker

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      GARY LINEKER has blown the final whistle on his Match Of The Day presenting career – and what a goal-den run it has been.Over a quarter of a century, his highlights reel includes hosting the programme in his undies and having toast thrown at him by footie hardman Vinnie Jones.Gary Lineker presented the first MOTD of the new season in his Leicester City emblazoned pants after his former club won the title in 2016Credit: BBCGary’s first appearance as the main presenter on MOTD in 1999Credit: Pixel8000Gary with pundits Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson in 2000Credit: BBCYet the ex-England ace’s debut on the world’s longest-running TV football show left him squirming. “My first-ever appearance on Match Of The Day was probably my worst,” he told the BBC.“I was playing for Leicester in 1980 and, in those days, there was usually just one game shown. So it was incredibly exciting when I heard that our match against Aston Villa had been chosen.“Unfortunately, I missed an easy chance, knocking it over the bar from five yards out. I remember going home and being absolutely hammered by my family when they watched the show that night.”Gary, 63, who hails from a family of greengrocers, added: “My dad enjoyed a bet, but if you’d offered him odds that night back in 1980 that one day I’d present MOTD in my pants, as a result of Leicester winning the Premier League, then he would have laughed you out of town.”Read More on Sport‘I wanted Des’s job’Few have had more stellar England careers than Gary, whose final show will be at the end of this season.The former striker remains the Three Lions’ top scorer at World Cups, with ten goals to his name, and is England’s fourth-highest scorer of all time.He notched up four goals at Italia 90 when England reached the semi-final. He scored in that match before West Germany famously won on penalties.Later, showing an aptitude for a pithy phrase, he said: “Football is a simple game — 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, the Germans win.”Most read in FootballThe ex-England skipper always had his eye on a career in the media during his playing career.On retirement, he went into presenting and punditry with the BBC, initially for Radio 5 Live.Gary Lineker will stop presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season at and will quit Beeb by 2027He was also a witty team captain on TV sporting quiz show They Think It’s All Over from 1995 to 2003.Dad-of-four Gary took over presenting Match Of The Day in 1999 from Des Lynam, who many at the time regarded as irreplaceable.And earlier this year, he told the BBC: “I didn’t do punditry for very long. I wanted Des’s job.”At the time he stepped up to the top hosting role, Gary said: “I’ve been watching Match Of The Day since I was a boy.“And just as captaining England was an honour, so too is hosting the best football show on TV.“It’s a job any sports broadcaster would be proud to do and I’m thrilled.” Gary would say of his first show in the hot seat in 1999: “You can’t really practise telly. I don’t get nervous, didn’t as a player, don’t as a presenter, but I remember that first show, there were a few butterflies.”At first, Gary says his presentation style was not as honed as he would have liked. He recalled: “I remember for a couple of years driving home and thinking, ‘I’m never going to be able to crack this’.“But, in the end, you get used to the environment and then it becomes natural — and then it really depends on whether you’ve got enough likeability, that more people like you than hate you.”Gary’s mix of assured authority and quick sense of humour won him legions of fans.Following Premier League rights returning to the BBC from ITV in 2004, Gary pushed for all the day’s matches to be screened.“It’s constantly evolved,” he told the BBC when celebrating Match Of The Day’s 60th anniversary in August this year. “I can remember when I grew up there was just one game shown. Then it went to two.“Then we lost the rights for three years to ITV. When we got the rights back, I said, ‘Is there any way we can show all the games?’.“We found a way of doing it, so I thought, ‘Right, we won’t get people moaning their team is never on Match Of The Day’.“But, of course, then it becomes where the team is in the running order. ‘We’re always last’, and this kind of stuff’.”Despite Gary and his pundits’ forthright criticism, he says few players have had a go at him, explaining: “Very, very rarely. Not with players.“Managers more so, managers are touchy. Footballers get it — they know when they’ve made a mistake.”The MOTD team, clockwise from top left: Jimmy Hill, Barry Davies, John Motson, Gary, Des Lynam and Alan at the 1998 World CupCredit: PA:Press AssociationGary, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright with the MOTD team behind the scenes in 2016Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The TimesGary, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard amd Micah Richards go wild after England go through after beating Switzerland on penalties at Euro 2024Credit: Pixel8000Gary covering the match between Leicester City and Manchester United in 2000Credit: ColorsportA young Lineker at Leicester City in 1979Credit: AlamyOne player who did have a “pop” at him was former Wimbledon hardman Vinnie Jones. The player-turned actor told The Sun how Gary “said he’d rather watch Ceefax than watch Wimbledon”.Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Vinnie, who was not amused, said: “If I’d got hold of him, I’d have ripped him a f***ing new a***hole.“So when I saw him in a hotel in Dublin, I threw me f***ing dinner at him and said, ‘Well, you want to say something now, big ears?’.”The 1995 set-to also involved Vinnie chucking slices of toast at Gary.Three years later, the pair appeared together in a Walkers crisps advert, the hatchet seemingly buried.If I’d got hold of him, I’d have ripped him a f***ing new a***holeVinnie JonesNow Vinnie says: “He’s not on my Christmas card list. I’m sure I’m not on his.”In 2016, Gary promised to present Match Of The Day in his pants if his beloved Leicester City achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Premier League title.“I did a tweet in December saying if Leicester win the league I’ll do the first show of next season in my undies. When I did that tweet, I knew there was categorically zero chance Leicester would win the league. But, of course, they did.“I kind of had to do it. It was the most surreal thing I’ve done on TV.”Gary also showed his cheeky side when then-Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette let out a blood-curdling scream after being fouled, falling to the ground and clutching his leg, in 2021. Lacazette soon returned to his feet without needing treatment.‘Exceeded expectations’At the end of the show, Gary threw himself off his presenter’s chair with mocking screams.His prowess behind the mic has also seen him present coverage from the Olympics, major golf tournaments and the Sports Personality Of The Year awards.He has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for the past seven years and would work for other networks, including BT Sport.There is also a lucrative long-term sponsorship deal with Walkers crisps, and he jointly owns TV production company Goalhanger Films.It produced sports documentaries including Rooney: The Man Behind the Goals, about Manchester United icon Wayne.Goalhanger also has a podcast division, which has proved Gary’s Midas touch.I did a tweet in December saying if Leicester win the league I’ll do the first show of next season in my undies. When I did that tweet, I knew there was categorically zero chance Leicester would win the league — but, of course, they didGary LinekerNow the largest British producer of podcasts, its shows include The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics and his own podcast, The Rest Is Football, which he hosts with fellow goal-scoring great Alan Shearer and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards.With his Match Of The Day contract expiring next summer, Gary said in an August interview: “Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations.“But at the same time, I love being part of Match Of The Day, I love working for the BBC.“I know it has its issues and it has its troubles, but I think it’s brilliant.”Gary is not content to do what his critics demand and stick merely to football.Controversy over his political tweets reached boiling point in March 2023, with the resulting furore seeing the Match Of The Day host taken off air.He had written on X that the language used by the then-government to launch a policy on small boat crossings was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.Esquire magazine called the ex-Leceister, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona striker “the voice of liberal Britain”.But BBC chiefs suspended Gary — who never received a yellow card, let alone a red, during his 16 years and 654 competitive matches.In a mark of Gary’s popularity among his peers, sport presenters from across BBC programming, including Shearer, Ian Wright, Alex Scott, Jermain Defoe and Dion Dublin, mutinied and came off air.Wright said he would quit Match Of The Day if the BBC “get rid of Lineker”. TV and radio shows including Football Focus, Final Score and Fighting Talk were pulled.Match Of The Day lasted just 20 minutes without presenters or analysts and only edited highlights screened.I love being part of Match Of The Day, I love working for the BBC. I know it has its issues and it has its troubles, but I think it’s brilliantGary LinekerIt was a mark of the esteem Gary is held in by the public that the BBC backed down and reinstated him.An independent review of the corporation’s social media guidelines saw tougher new rules introduced. Then last month came rumours of a leaked email that hinted the BBC was drafting a statement on Gary’s departure from Match Of The Day.A BBC spokesman insisted: “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season.”Gary characteristically treated the speculation over his future with a gag. He introduced Match Of The Day by saying: “Hello. Seven games on the way and it’s my final show . . . ”READ MORE SUN STORIESThen, pausing with impeccable comic timing, he added: “Before the international break.”Now, one of football’s most cherished sons really is leaving — as perhaps the iconic programme’s greatest-ever presenter. More

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      in Boxing

      How Mike Tyson & Jake Paul’s $80m clash became ‘boxing’s biggest freak show’ with lie detector gaffes and $2m VIP seats

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      AS the dust settles on the US election, America is bracing itself for another epic and unpredictable showdown.And once again, it pits a controversial, motor-mouthed veteran against a far younger contender many predict is not cut out for the job.Boxing legend Mike Tyson famously won 44 of his 58 fights by knockoutsCredit: GettyIron Mike is set to take on 27-year-old YouTuber Jake PaulCredit: GettyCritics have dubbed Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s boxing match the biggest freak show in boxing historyCredit: GettyMore than 60,000 fans will pile into Texas’s AT&T arena on Saturday to watch the spectacle of former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson, 58, take on 27-year-old YouTuber Jake Paul in what critics have dubbed the biggest freak show in boxing history.VIP ringside seats are being sold for a record £1.55million — and millions more will tune into the event which, in a groundbreaking move, is being streamed live on Netflix.But it remains to be seen whether Paul can solve the conundrum that has seen fighters with twice his class pummelled to the canvas by the self-styled Baddest Man On The Planet.In Tyson’s famous words: “Everyone has a plan ’til they get punched in the mouth.”READ MORE ON MIKE TYSONThe stats behind Mike Tyson vs Jake PaulUntil his retirement in 2005, the human pitbull famously won 44 of his 58 fights by knockouts.Yet even Tyson — whose training regime includes microdosing magic mushrooms and smoking weed — can’t win against Old Father Time.The three-decade age gap between the men is the largest in professional boxing history.Gutsy Paul, rated a decent if inexperienced pugilist, may use his youth to give the ex-champ the runaround before delivering a knockout blow.Most read in BoxingSo is this simply a circus act or a legitimate contest in the spirit of the Marquess of Queensberry?What’s certain is that it will be box office gold.Jake Paul had vision of himself fighting Mike Tyson while high on psychedelics three years agoRather than the usual pay per view, the fighters have signed a deal said to be around £31million each for Saturday’s early hours bout.It is already predicted to be one of the most-viewed boxing matches of all time, and media analysts suggest it could usher in a new dawn for how live sports are consumed, with further plans to broadcast NFL and WWE events on Netflix.Tyson is characteristically bullish ahead of the fight in Arlington, Texas.Before Paul had his most recent and 11th fight, Iron Mike insisted: “Regardless of how old I am, this guy only has ten fights.“If I can fight ten per cent of what I was, he only has ten fights, he couldn’t match that.”‘Weak and flawed person’Not everyone shares his optimism. Boxing great and promoter Barry McGuigan told a newspaper he fears Tyson will tarnish his legacy if he is remembered for “that sham of a fight with that YouTuber”.The former featherweight, who will appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, added: “A 58-year-old man shouldn’t be fighting. He just shouldn’t.“At that age your punch resistance invariably disappears. And while we see all these clips of Tyson doing the pads, that’s not real. What’s real is sparring against good-quality opposition and seeing how you look then.”The younger man’s route to the Texas ring was as a celebrity You- Tuber whose maiden fight was a so-called white-collar boxing contest for office workers.He has won ten of his 11 professional bouts with seven knockouts.Nicknamed The Problem Child, Paul’s only loss was to Tommy Fury — but it was a split decision and he knocked the Love Island star down in the eighth round.Love Island’s Tommy Fury on the way to beating Jake Paul in Riyadh last yearCredit: GettyJake Paul’s skater girlfriend Jutta LeerdamCredit: Instagram / @uttaleerdamIt is a record that lends him legitimacy, though his opponents included a YouTuber, a retired basketball star and four Mixed Martial Arts fighters.The opponents were well-picked — seven were 35 or older — and purses huge. Paul has earned tens of millions from his fights including almost £24million from the bout with Fury.Yet Tyson has fought genuine ring legends including Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno.In August at a press conference with Iron Mike, Paul bragged: “I’m here to make 40million dollars and knock out a legend.“I don’t give a f* about anything else. And he’s the one that wanted it to be a pro fight. “So he’s gonna get his ass knocked out for real on a real record.”One glamorous figure in Paul’s corner is his Dutch girlfriend Jutta Leerdam, an Olympic speed skating silver medallist who admits to more anxiety over the clash.She told the Netflix documentary Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson: “I’m a little scared. “I think, ‘Hey, stay away from my boyfriend.’ But it’s also the sport, so I understand that.”And when hooked up to a lie detector machine on the endless social media promo trail, Paul’s trash talk bluster disappeared. Asked if he would beat the former undisputed champion, he answered: “Yeah.”Mike Tyson famously chewing Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997Credit: SkyMike Tyson being led away by cops after rape arrest in 1991Credit: RexBut the lie detector begged to differ, suggesting Paul’s cocky facade hid his real belief that he would lose.When a clip of the test went viral, Tyson shared it with his 30million Instagram followers with three laughing emojis emblazoned on it.The pair were originally scheduled to meet on July 20 but Tyson was taken ill two months earlier in an plane toilet after an ulcer flare-up.On the plane, I went to the bathroom, and I threw up blood,” he revealed. “Next thing I know I’m on the floor and I was defecating tar.” In his Eighties prime, Tyson was the most destructive heavyweight of his generation.Menacing in black trunks, black ankle-high boots and no socks, he would pace the ring before the first bell like a caged lion.Psyching out many before a punch was thrown, he won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round.In 1992 he was convicted of raping 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington and received a six-year prison sentence, serving less than half that time.I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity.Mike TysonOn his release, he fought two losing fights against Evander Holyfield. In the second, Tyson sank his teeth into Holyfield’s ear, biting the fleshy top off before spitting it out on to the canvas.Teddy Atlas, his former trainer, called Tyson “a very weak and flawed person”.His penultimate contest — against Brit Danny Williams in 2004 — saw him unable to beat the count after being knocked down in a bloodied heap in the fourth round.In his last professional fight in 2005, he threw in the towel against Irishman Kevin McBride before the seventh round.Announcing his retirement afterwards, a downbeat Tyson insisted: “I’m not going to disrespect the sport any more by losing to this calibre of fighter.”A 2020 exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr was judged a draw. Tyson admitted he was high on marijuana during the fight, revealing afterwards: “I smoke every day.” He credits weed for helping him beat a destructive cocaine and booze habit.‘I’m a glutton for pain’Asked by US TV host Jimmy Kimmel recently if he intends to be “high on marijuana” during his bout with Paul, Tyson replied: “That’s a possibility.”Also a magic mushroom user, Tyson says he takes the psychedelics during his workouts “because I feel beautiful”.Now he has been lured back to his beloved ring partly, at least, for the adulation. “I’m a glory junkie,” the fighter with a Maori-inspired face tattoo admitted. “I love people thinking about me all day.“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity.“This is all I started fighting for — to get all this fing status.“I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that. “I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”The giant purse might help too, with punters paying through the roof to get close to the action.The arena’s most expensive ticket is a record $2million VIP package, which will seat two people less than six feet from the action in a private booth.If Mike lands one clean punch, and if he makes him miss, he will make him pay.Jeff FenechFurther perks include the chance to visit both fighters backstage before the fight, an open bar and gourmet all-inclusive food menu, plus a personal security escort to accompany guests across the venue.And even at 58, the allure of an Iron Mike knockout remains undimmed.Jeff Fenech, who trained Tyson to defeats against Williams and McBride, believes the fallen champ still has what it takes to dispatch upstart Paul.The cornerman said: “If Mike lands one clean punch, and if he makes him miss, he will make him pay. “If he doesn’t try and strike at the same time and is patient, the fight could be over in one minute.”Thankfully — perhaps for both fighters — the rounds will be two minutes long rather than the usual three for men’s bouts.Dad-of-seven Tyson explained: “I wanted the shorter rounds because I wanted more action. “If we only have two minutes, we’ll fight more.”And the fighters will wear 14oz gloves rather than the usual 10oz to lend greater protection.Neither man will wear headguards.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe prospect of a potentially stoned former heavy-hitting champ battling a rookie almost young enough to be his grandson may not warm the cockles of boxing purists.“People say it’s s*t,” Gypsy King Tyson Fury said. “But I bet they still watch it.” More

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      Banned for threatening ref & not eating when he loses – fiery new Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim will bring ‘hairdryer’ back

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      WHEN Ruben Amorim arrives at Manchester United on Monday, the Premier League had better be ready for some hairdryer treatment.The Portuguese manager has gained a reputation for struggling to contain his temper both on and off the pitch during his career.New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has a fiery side, just like former boss Sir Alex FergusonCredit: RexIt is the kind of rage that fans and players at Old Trafford got used to when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.Amorim, 39, who impressed United supporters by beating their rivals Man City 4-1 in his penultimate game in charge of Sporting Lisbon this week, is charged with bringing back the glory days achieved by Fergie in the 1990s and 2000s.The former midfielder has admitted letting anger get the better of him as a player, and he was banned from the touchline as a manager for three months after allegedly telling a referee: “I’ll smash your face in.”Amorim, who played 14 times for his country, also conceded that he struggled to hide his frustration when his team wasn’t doing well and got “impatient” with young stars.READ MORE RUBEN AMORIMHe has gained inspiration by reading about great leaders such as Barack Obama and the late Apple boss Steve Jobs.Different atmosphereHe is also said to be a fan of Peaky Blinders and has seen every episode of the BBC gangster drama starring Cillian Murphy, reportedly telling pals he was “addicted” to the show, which was mainly shot in Birmingham, but also in Manchester.And thanks to some anger management therapy, he is said to be calmer now.But Amorim, who gives few interviews, once admitted: “One problem I have is I can’t control my body language when something is, in my opinion, incredibly wrong.Most read in Football“Because there are things that should be known at a certain level and when I see players making certain mistakes I quickly get frustrated and can’t hide it.”Amorim is set to earn around £8million a year as boss at Manchester United.’Sporting fans will be upset with Ruben Amorim but he will be much better than Erik ten Hag’It is a huge change of fortunes for the man who was raised on the breadline in a household in Lisbon.His parents split up when he was a year old, and money was tight as he and older brother Mauro were raised by their mother Anabela.When Amorim was 13 they moved to the Corroios area of Almada, across the river Tagus from Lisbon, and matters got worse.Amorim’s father Virgilio said: “We were separated and it was an important change for our sons.“Ruben was used to a quiet school and I remember he was attacked once or twice in Corroios, it was a different atmosphere.”Amorim, who has a half-sister, Catia, is said to have been teased at his new school for preferring water to Coke.His friend Daniel Oliveira said: “We teased him a lot because at meals we nearly had to force him to drink something else.”But that healthy approach proved wise, as Amorim’s footballing talent was noticed by local side Belenenses, which signed him in 2003.Amorim is a hero at Sporting where he has won two league titles, and beat Manchester City this weekCredit: PAIn 2008 he joined Benfica, one of Portugal’s top sides, and for him, winning was everything.He said: “In my first derby, Sporting v Benfica, I lost, and I didn’t eat all weekend. “My week, if Benfica lost, I was depressed.”Unfortunately his career was blighted by injuries, such as a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee and tendonitis.Sitting on the sidelines deeply frustrated Amorim, who grew so annoyed he is said to have hurled his boots across the physio room.He said: “An injured player gets stressed and in a bad mood, and contrary to what one might think, you spend more time at the club recovering.”But Amorim was fit to play for his country in the 2014 World Cup. He said: “It was the only year I didn’t have injuries. I was so happy.”A year later he accepted that his physical state meant he could no longer play at the highest level, and he decided to sign for Al-Wakrah in Qatar on loan. It didn’t go well.He recalled: “I knew I wouldn’t have much success there. “Things went against me a lot.“I was sent off twice when I’d never been sent off before. “It must have been the frustration and it turned to anger. “I was stupid.”13-time title winner Sir Alex Ferguson became known for the ‘hairdryer’ treatment dealt out to his playersCredit: GettyAfter just 14 games in the Middle East he decided he would rather quit than accept a losing mentality, even though he could have earned a fortune at the wealthy side.Amorim said: “People said I could stay there five years and earn a lot of money, and that’s what I thought.“But when you go on the pitch I couldn’t think that way — you want to perform well.“I couldn’t stand players greeting me and chatting during the game when we were losing.”In 2017 he decided to retire from playing football at the age of 32.Four years earlier, in 2013, he had married interior designer Maria Joao Diogo in an impressive ceremony at a historic palace in the city of Coimbra.Unlike many footballing partnerships, the couple, who have sons Miguel and Manuel, do not advertise their romance on social media and prefer to keep a low profile.But Amorim did dance with Maria on the pitch when he won his first league title as manager of Sporting Lisbon in 2021.He had had some doubts about going into coaching because the demand of the job means you do not get to see much of your family.He revealed: “At first I wanted to look at doing other things because it’s not very easy for family life.“As I finished playing early, it’s a way of filling the gap. “I’ll try it. I don’t know if I’ll be good or bad.”His rise to the top has been meteoric, having started as a manager in 2018 with lowly third- division side Casa Pia in Lisbon.Amorim has been supported through his managerial career by wife Maria Joao DiogoCredit: D. RAmorim’s hot-headed nature got him into trouble the following year.During a match against Amora he put his head against that of referee Hugo Silva and was reported to have told him: “I’ll smash your face in.”Having been restrained by colleagues, he then took the dispute into the changing room, continuing to berate the ref.Amorim was banned for 90 days and fined 408 euros.According to Espresso, a Portuguese daily newspaper, he went to a psychologist for anger management sessions. Much of his success is down to a strict work ethic, which includes starting his day at 6am.And he has a reputation for looking after his players — including paying the rent for his Casa Pia central defender Deritson Lopes for a year after after he heard that the player was having to work nights at a fast food joint to support his three children.Lopes said: “He was an angel in my life.”Amorim left Casa Pia because he had been banned for coaching without the right level of qualifications and he went to Braga instead.His friend Tiago Ribeiro said: “When he went to Braga B, there were some months without work during which his assistants didn’t get paid, and he took it upon himself to make sure they weren’t lacking anything.” At Braga’s first team he won the league cup and took the unfashionable side into Europe.In 2020 Sporting Lisbon, the bitter rivals of the Benfica side he had supported as a child, paid a record fee to secure his services.It proved to be money well spent because he won the club’s first league title in 19 years.That is what Manchester United hope to be buying, having not finished top of the Premier League since 2013. He is a young coach who should be given the time to succeed, like Ferguson was.Amorim said: “I’ve grown with experience in every respect. “It’s normal to improve with experience.“I’ve made mistakes. “I’ve learnt, I keep learning.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ve come through difficulties, I have had great support and I’ve been lucky.”Additional reporting: VICTOR VAGOAmorim, 39, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the topCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Boyzone & Westlife stars’ bid to turn footie minnows into ‘new Wrexham’ as they declare ‘we’ll win the Prem’

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      BOYZONE and Westlife have sold out stadiums all over the world.But now three members of the famous Nineties pop bands have entered a new arena with a fresh challenge – to take a part-time football club all the way to the Premier League.Shane Lynch and Brian McFadden at Chorley this weekendCredit: Mark TattersallWrexham’s celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate the club’s promotion in April last yearCredit: GettySaturday’s clash with King’s LynnCredit: Mark TattersallJean Pedley, second left, with fansCredit: Mark TattersallKeith Duffy said: ‘Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of Chorley’Credit: GettyShane Lynch and Keith Duffy from Boyzone, with Brian McFadden of Westlife fame, are now shareholders of Chorley FC, who play in the ­National League North — SIX rungs below England’s top-flight squads.Chorley is just 25 miles from ­Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, but the clubs are light years apart in footballing terms.The smaller team, nicknamed The Magpies, averages gates of 1,400, compared to City’s 53,000. Their 80-year-old stand was originally built on an ash tip, and the club boasts such a ­community vibe, a fan once drove a crocked player to hospital because no ambulance was nearby.Read More on SportNow, with a potential documentary in the offing tracking their journey, Shane, Keith and Brian believe there is no reason why they can’t mirror Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham — whose story ­features in a Disney+ show — and Gary Neville at Salford City.Both have taken struggling teams towards the promised land.Brian, 44, said: “We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds. “I wake up some nights thinking, ‘We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 years’.Most read in Football“You have to dream big, and we’ve got to aim for the top.‘Amazing support’“Teams like Salford and Wrexham, who have well-known owners, make us think, ‘Why not us?’.” Boyzone reuniting for Welcome to Wrexham-style TV docu-series after buying non-league Chorley FCAnd he joked: “Gary Neville and Ryan ­Reynolds may need to watch out!”Keith added of the locals’ pride in the team: “We’re from a working-class background in the north side of Dublin and it’s all about family.“It’s all about community — and coming here today, it’s like being home.“Hopefully we’re going to be the new adopted sons.”This week, The Sun was invited for the first ever access-all-areas tour of the ground with the lads, and to witness a 2-1 win for their team that took them joint top of their league.It is exactly a year since the trio signed on the dotted line as investors.Since then, the club has invested £250,000 in a new pitch, installed safer terracing at the 4,100-capacity ground and also created a brand new hospitality suite.But the pop stars insist they will not be meddling in the running of the team. Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of ChorleyKeith DuffyShane, 48, said: “What’s on the pitch stays on the pitch, and what’s off the pitch kind of stays off the pitch. “We try not to bleed into both. “We are here as investors.”Brian, who lives in neighbouring Rochdale, added: “When I was signed to big record companies, I hated it when they told me how to sing.“So, we’re definitely not going to tell them how to play football.”We arrive at the 105-year-old ­Victory Park stadium two hours before Saturday’s crunch home tie against King’s Lynn.The old-fashioned turnstiles creak as stewards warmly greet fans by their first names. One supporter sells pin badges while others chat to the players and give them high-fives as they head inside.Shane and Brian — both wearing club jerseys — guide us into the home dressing room, where the team’s black, white and red shirts bearing each player’s name are hung up neatly, with the rest of the kit folded below. We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds. I wake up some nights thinking, ‘We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 yearsBrian McFaddenBut this is where the similarities with a Premier League changing room end. Instead of giant interactive screens similar to those you would see at the likes of City and Liverpool, a whiteboard displays hand-written notes on that day’s match rivals.Shane embraces Chorley manager Andy Preece and the pair share a joke.Brian, who scored a 1999 No1 with Westlife covering Abba’s I Have A Dream, said: “When I’ve got grandchildren, I want to be able to say I was a part of that.”However, not all fans were convinced when Shane’s friends, who bought the 141-year-old club last year, invited the lads to invest. Keith said: “Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of Chorley.“They’ve got this amazing community support. “It’s their club and I think there was a worry that we might come in and try to make it a bit Hollywood and throw money at it. “After speaking to everyone, we said we couldn’t do that. “We had to let this club grow naturally.”Shane added: “I’m not hugely into football, but Brian and Keith are.“It’s amazing to see how the fans bought into having two guys from Boyzone and a fella from Westlife on board.”And it’s not just the club that is in a different league. Most of Chorley’s players also have day jobs, such as school sports coach, personal trainer, plumber and electrician. One even works for the National Crime Agency.Outside, the ground has changed since the club was formed after switching from a rugby team in 1883.Fans can get in for just £14 if they buy tickets online, while under-12s go free — a snip compared to the £100 sometimes charged by Premier League sides in the area. Chorley — a town of just 120,000 people — is famed for its Chorley cake but, as well as being able to grab one with a cuppa for less than £3, the ground’s delicacy is its butter chicken, mushy peas and gravy for just over £5.‘Always felt like home’Since the lads took over a year ago, a revamp means state-of-the-art hospitality facilities offer fans a two-course meal, their own car parking space, a programme, signed ball and the best seats for less than £70 a head if bought in a group of six.Hospitality manager Sue Gautrey began working as a barmaid at the club in 2002, and said: “It has always felt like home. “My three daughters work here and I hope I’ll be here until I retire.“It’s quite surreal seeing Boyzone and Westlife wandering around, but they are lovely. “Everyone associated with the club is great.”In the summer, Shane, Keith and Brian saw £250,000 spent on a new pitch and drainage system, while the terracing got fresh Tarmac, a new perimeter fence was installed and improvements were made to the quaint main stand.Chairman Jamie Vermiglio, a former player who managed the club to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2021, when they were beaten by Premier League side Wolves, said: “Having these guys here is brilliant for the club. “It’s exciting.“We have had some great times and achievements, and hopefully we will have many more.”I’m not hugely into football, but Brian and Keith are. It’s amazing to see how the fans bought into having two guys from Boyzone and a fella from Westlife on boardShane LynchShane said: “We’re on a ten-year project and we are coming into Year Two. “We’ve got lots of ideas for the ground, for the game and to grow Chorley as a town.“What we are doing is very much community based. “Just look at the queues outside. “This is why this club is alive, and the more people we can have walking through the turnstiles, is very important to us.”The trio said they are keen to bring in new sponsorship, boost attendance and generate funds to help climb the leagues.And watching their match with full-time squad King’s Lynn, it could be the start of something.Chorley win 2-1, sending them joint top with former league club Scunthorpe. Fans are jubilant and chant, “We are going up” as they leave.Chorley is a great community and the support they have is great. This is how it should be and it is a great day out for familiesKeith DuffyJean Pedley, 82, started watching the team aged 12 and lives next to the ground. She said: “My mother used to wash the kit. “My sister and I used to work in the refreshment bar and all you could buy was a pork pie and a cup of tea. “Now we have pop stars here. “It’s changed a lot.”John Vernon, 81, a supporter of 70 years, said: “The Premier League is another world, but this is the charm of it here. “At a game in Nottingham, one of our players suffered a nasty cut and there wasn’t an ambulance so I drove him to hospital.“I managed to get him back to the ground before the team coach left.“When we arrived back, everyone cheered. “If we’d missed the coach, I’d have happily driven him home. “Where else would that happen?”In the trophy room, Keith, 50, hailed fans’ post-match celebrations, which include a singer and a live band, revealing: “Chorley is a great community and the support they have is great. “This is how it should be and it is a great day out for families.”He added of their win over King’s Lynn: “It was good to see that today.”Shane added: “I was having a bit of banter with the fans, telling them that it’s not my fault if we lose.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I was nervous at the end of the game and it was a great buzz to winning. “There are real similarities with having a great gig.” More

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      I partied with Rodri & Man Utd’s Alejandro Garnacho at Ballon D’or – Harry Kane let slip plans for Prem League return

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      IT was a glitzy night with football’s biggest stars – and I was one of the lucky few invited to attend.More than 500 bottles of Champagne were cracked open before the creme de la creme watched Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati receive the Ballon d’Or.Ellie Henman with her Tottenham hero Harry Kane in ParisCredit: SuppliedEllie with Man Utd’s Alejandro GarnachoCredit: SuppliedMan City’s Rodri picked up the men’s Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersHe was helped on stage by former Manchester City player George Weah in the closing segment of the eveningCredit: SuppliedBut the caterers scored an own goal when they ran out of platters to serve their nibbles — forcing the chefs to send out waiters holding metal colanders full of macaroni cheese balls.That flash of chaos did not affect the presentation of the only two balls that really mattered — the rotund golden trophies that were carefully wheeled on to the stage in Paris.There was even more fanfare to the moment than I’ve seen at the Oscars and the Baftas.The gongs came in custom-made Louis Vuitton cases, which each took three people to open, while fireworks threatened to set off the fire alarm as the crowd watched in bewilderment.READ MORE IN SPORTSSome hours before then, my evening began by navigating four road closures and more than 200 confused French coppers to get to the Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital on a windy Monday night.Rabid selfie-takersOnce inside, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with football heavyweights including French legend Marcel Desailly and Barcelona president Joan Laporta — who was flanked by heavies to bat off rabid selfie-takers, myself included.My first port of call was tracking down Harry Kane, the former captain of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur, who on the night picked up the Gerd Muller trophy with Kylian Mbappe as they had both scored the most goals in Europe this season.Grabbing Harry for a chat before he was celebrated for his 44 goals in 45 matches, he admitted he was loving his new life at Bayern Munich.Most read in Football“I’m really enjoying it,” Harry told me with a grin on his face, although he went on to admit his German could still do with a bit of work.“I am learning and doing two lessons a week,” he added. “I have a good teacher at Bayern.Harry Kane scores incredibly rare German hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Stuttgart“For me it is difficult but hopefully I will be there for many years and at some stage will be able to talk a bit of German.”But what about coming back to Spurs I plead, given we desperately miss our golden boy.“Maybe one day,” Harry tells me with a somewhat sympathetic smile. Although I suspect, deep down, I may be left wanting.The reception waiters are bringing out posh canapes in great haste but I spy Marcel Desailly waving away cubes of raw cod — which, given they were room temperature, was a wise decision.After I introduced myself, the Chelsea legend gossiped about Real Madrid’s decision to snub the big night after learning star forward Vinicius Junior would not be awarded the top prize.Lamine Yamal with mum Sheila and brother KeyneCredit: RexSpanish footballer Jennifer Hermoso got the first standing ovation of the night as she won the Socrates awardCredit: ReutersEllie hanging out with Marcel Desailly at the bashCredit: SuppliedInsiders at the glitzy bash told me the club’s decision to not send a single delegate caused a big headache and a hurried last-minute switch to the seating plan on the theatre floor.Elsewhere in the bash, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho was tucked away in a corner of the champagne reception furiously tapping away on his mobile phone as his glamorous female companion stared blankly into space.I am learning and doing two lessons a weekHarry KaneIt wasn’t surprising the striker only had eyes for his iPhone, given just six hours before he arrived his gaffer Erik ten Hag was handed his P45.I chose to not mention the chaos when I started up a conversation but it was clear Garnacho was so deep in the club WhatsApp group gossip that time for a chinwag with me was not on the cards.He sat with schoolboy-like stoicism on the front row next to Harry as the awards began. By this point, more than 500 bottles of Taittinger had been cracked open and the players, Uefa bigwigs and everyone in between were certainly well-oiled.As the players started to take their seats I went down on to the floor and spotted Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal — who won the best young player trophy at the ceremony — carrying his toddler brother Keyne around to meet his peers.The tot won hearts when Lamine carried him out on to the pitch after Spain won the Euros this summer and he was the centre of attention at the ceremony.As Keyne was passed from player to player, Lamine looked on proudly as they cooed over him.And later that evening, at just past 11pm, he was among the last to leave as proud Lamine carried the tuxedo-wearing tot down the red-carpeted stars and off to bed. Spanish footballer Jennifer Hermoso got the first standing ovation of the night as she won the Socrates award.Jennifer — the woman at the centre of the storm last July when she was kissed without consent by Fifa’s ex- vice-president Luis Rubiales — was the first woman to be handed the gong and used her time on stage to push for equality.‘Make a better world’She said: “This award is not just mine, but belongs to all my teammates, with whom I share a space where equality is not always a given.“That’s why we all work day by day with the hope and desire to leave women’s football in a better place for the new generations.”She added: “I’d like to tell all women to keep being courageous. Work together in order to make a better world possible.”Two hours in, and the ceremony came to a close with the unveiling of the top award, the Ballon d’Or.Barcelona’s Aitana won the women’s gong for a second year in a row and was handed the accolade by Hollywood actress Natalie Portman.The Black Swan star, who part-owns LA-based football team Angel City FC, told me she was a regular at Paris Saint-Germain games with her teenage son — who worked the theatre floor like a pro and took selfies with everyone from Harry to Rodri.I’d like to tell all women to keep being courageousJennifer HermosoCollecting her prize, Aitana paid tribute to her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo who were left in second and third place respectively.The pair did not seem too impressed with her sentiments, though, and struggled to raise a smile as Aitana spoke about them.Afterwards, when the Champagne started to flow again, they made a beeline for the dessert table and I stood and watched as they despondently ate miniature cream cakes and poached pears as Aitana swerved the after-party.Man City’s Rodri, who picked up the men’s Ballon d’Or, was helped on stage by former Manchester City player George Weah in the closing segment of the evening.The midfielder is on crutches after undergoing surgery following a nasty injury last month, but refused to pose with his sticks and handed them to a flunky as he stood on stage clutching his prize.“I am feeling much better,” he reassured the crowd. “This is a big injury for me. Football has a lot of risks and this is the first time in my career to have something like this.“I am trying to rest and recuperate and come back stronger.”He was joined by his parents, who were seated towards the back — and when I saw him leaving the theatre, his mother had to fight through a crowd of 20 heavies to reach her boy to give him a kiss.It just goes to show, you are never too old, or too successful, to get a smacker from Mum.Back inside the bash, there was uproar at the decision to shut the bar at 11pm — two hours before the official closing time.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith all the stars gone, though, and the warm, raw cod starting to repeat on the most prestigious of guests, it was best to call it a night.Until next year, Paris.Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati receive the Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersWaiter and colander full of nibbles after platters ran outCredit: suppliedNatalie Portman, who presented an awardCredit: GettyEllie at the awards in ParisCredit: Supplied More

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      in Athletics

      From legendary strongman to avid budgie breeder – the unforgettable life of beloved Olympian Geoff Capes

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      GIANT policeman Geoff Capes, who became Britain’s best-loved strongman, has died aged 75.Shot putter Capes — who stood 6ft 5½in and weighed 26st — represented Great Britain at three Olympics.Despite his strongman persona, Geoff Capes’ hobby was breeding budgerigars which he held gently in his giant handsCredit: GettyGeoff Capes of Great Britain competing in the men’s shot put event during the Summer Olympic Games in Montreal 1976.Credit: GettyGeoff won the 1983 World’s Strongest Man competitionCredit: RexHe was Commonwealth champion and European champion twice and since 1980 has been the country’s shot put record holder with a throw of 21.68metres.But the star was best known as the World’s Strongest Man, who could tear London phone directories in half and bend three-foot long, one-inch diameter steel bars.But remarkably, his hobby was breeding budgerigars which he held gently in his giant hands.And he became the president of the Budgerigar Society and was never happier than when he won the world budgie championship and travelled the globe judging bird shows.READ MORE ON GEOFF CAPESLast night fans took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved strongman.I was a hell of a fighter as well. If the next town came down on a Friday and there were only eight or nine of them I’d say, ‘Go back and get some more.Geoff on his youthOne said on X: “I watched him as a young man — my sincerest ­condolences to his family and friends, we’ll miss you Geoff.”Another added: “Sad to hear the passing of Geoff Capes. A fixture growing up on our TV and during athletics coverage.”Geoffrey Lewis Capes was born in 1949 in Holbeach, Lincs, the seventh of nine children.Most read in AthleticsAnd trouble was never far away. He remembered: “I was a hell of a fighter as well. If the next town came down on a Friday and there were only eight or nine of them I’d say, ‘Go back and get some more.’VW Polo from 3848 advert featuring Geoff Capes advert from 1983“I’d fight them on my own. I was quite quiet, but there was an inner aggression.“My headmaster, a guy called Joe Fathers, took great pleasure in trying to knock it out of me. He had a choice of canes.“On the last day I went into his office, I took the canes off the wall in the office in front of him and walked out.”Gifted sportsmanGeoff’s salvation was Holbeach Athletic Club where he was coached by BBC athletics commentator Stuart Storey.A gifted sportsman, Capes represented Lincolnshire at basketball, football and cross-country. But shot put was where he could channel the chip on his shoulder.Capes said: “I threw in bare feet in a concrete circle — and came second from last.”Capes would hitch-hike to athletics competitions and was told by Storey that he would achieve great things if he could just direct his energy.But growing up in the Lincs fens Geoff had a softer side — he was ­fascinated by the natural world and cared for injured birds and animals. After leaving school he worked as a coalman and an agricultural labourer before joining Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1970. He served in the force for ten years.He was allowed time off to compete at athletics meetings, but on a copper’s salary he could barely afford a daily diet that included six pounds of red meat, a dozen eggs and a large tin of baked beans.He also consumed two tins of ­pilchards, one and a half pounds of cottage cheese, a packet of cereal, two large loaves of bread with a pound of butter. All washed down with a pint of orange juice and seven pints of milk.Capes went on to become the most capped British male athlete of all time, with 67 international credits, and in 1983 he was voted Britain’s best-ever field athleteCredit: GettyThe strongman appearing in the kids’ TV programme ‘Supergran’Credit: RexIn a recent interview Capes said: ‘I enjoyed my life and I went around the world. How many people can say that?’Credit: RexIn his last interview he said: “I ate like a f***ing horse! Anything I could get my hands on. But nearly all protein.”Capes, who would lift 120 tons in training each week, did sponsorship deals that helped him to bypass the Olympics’ strict amateur rules.He had advertising slogans “Butcher Brown is the best in town” and his Talbot Estate car displayed “Dewhurst: Master Butchers” on the side.Capes went on to become the most capped British male athlete of all time, with 67 international credits, and in 1983 he was voted Britain’s best-ever field athlete.Just before his last Olympics, Moscow 1980, he won Britain’s first strongest man competition and became a household name. Tests of strength such as bending steel bars, lifting a platform of bunny girls, pulling lorries, arm wrestles and tug of war gave the show cult status.And Capes was soon in demand for everything from 17 pantomime appearances and children’s TV to performances at the London Palladium with Bobby Davro and TV ads.By 1983 he was officially the world’s strongest man but the following year lost the title to Jón Páll Sigmarsson.The Icelander who was 11 years younger, taunted: “The King has lost his crown!”But Geoff swore: “I’ll be back.” The next year he took the title and roared: “The King has not lost his crown!”Once, at Scotland’s Braemar Games, he used so much resin competing that when he was congratulated by the late Queen, their hands stuck together, causing Her Majesty to roar with laughter.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeoff’s son Lewis and daughter Emma were both shot putters, while two of his grandchildren, Donovan, 19, and Lawson, 15, train at the shot put ring Capes built in his home village of Stoke Rochford, Lincs.In a recent interview he said: “I enjoyed my life and I went around the world. How many people can say that?” More

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      in Boxing

      How boxing legend played by Sydney Sweeney beat cocaine addiction before surviving murder attempt by vicious hubby

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      WITH a bullet lodged three inches from her heart and several stab wounds, boxing champ Christy Martin lay on the floor and prepared to throw in the towel.But then a voice in her head said it was not her time to die just yet.Boxing champ Christy Martin beat addiction and survived a murder attemptCredit: GettySydney Sweeney will play Christy in a film about her lifeCredit: instagram/sydney_sweeneyShowing incredible strength and de- fiance against her monstrous husband Jim Martin, who had just tried to kill her, Christy dragged herself outside, where a passing stranger took her to hospital.Now, 14 years on, the woman who made female boxing mainstream, fought as the undercard to Mike Tyson and was the first female slugger to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, is being played by Sydney Sweeney in a movie about her life.This week, the actress was unrecognisable during filming on location in North Carolina.The as yet untitled flick will show how the fighter from small- town West Virginia took the sporting world by storm, earning more than £3million during 35 undefeated bouts, only to lose herself in domestic violence and drugs.READ MORE ON BOXINGChristy, now 56 and happily married to a woman having divorced violent former manager Jim, is keen to make one thing clear: “It is not a boxing movie.”She said in an exclusive interview: “That was the main thing I wanted to stress when I met the producers.‘Not born to box’“This is the underdog story. It’s about domestic violence, sexuality and sexual abuse.“I’m a coal miner’s daughter from a small town and no one expected I would make it. And at the same time, I had all these other things happening in my life.Most read in BoxingHuge Hollywood sexbomb unrecognisable on set of new movie – but can you guess who it is?“I hope it’s a movie that, in ten years, a father will sit down with his daughter and say, ‘These are the things I don’t ever want you to endure. I don’t ever want you pushed into a relationship’.“I want parents to watch it then say to their children, ‘If you’re gay, we will love you no matter what’.“I want people to know that to be a professional boxer, you don’t have to sell your soul to the devil. It’s a complex story and I hope it’s got a lot to say to lots of different people.”It was November 2010 when Christy, following years in an abusive marriage, finally plucked up the courage to walk out the door.Enraged Jim stabbed his wife multiple times in the chest and shot her once with her own pink revolver.The bullet narrowly missed her heart and her leg was cut almost to the bone.But in a heroic effort, she managed to escape and flag down help.Anyone But You actress Sydney, 27, signed up to play Christy despite — or perhaps because of — being famed for racy TV shows, rom coms and horror movies until now.Both women hail from unfashionable US towns. Sweeney is from Spokane, Washington, while Christy grew up in Mullens, West Virginia.But while the Hollywood star, who set pulses racing in Euphoria and White Lotus, is engaged to producer Jonathan Davino, Christy spent much of her life hiding her sexuality.Heterosexual actors playing gay roles has proved controversial in the past.Sydney coming onboard is huge. I met her over a Zoom call the other day. She has a mixed martial arts background, so she understands combat sports. It’s not exactly the same, but she understands the mentalityChristyBut Christy said: “I wasn’t worried that a straight person would be playing the part.“I was more concerned how she would feel portraying a gay person. I think she will do fine. It’s acting, so you get to be whoever you want, straight or gay.“Too much is put on that stuff. Let’s just be us and whatever happens, happens.”She added: “Sydney coming on board is huge. I met her over a Zoom call the other day. She has a mixed martial arts background, so she understands combat sports. It’s not exactly the same, but she understands the mentality.“I watched her in Anyone But You and I liked her. It will be interesting seeing her being me and I’m excited.“Sydney is an A-lister. If you ask a young guy who she is, they know her, so I think she’s pretty cool.”Christy first boxed in college, aged 18, when she was secretly dating a woman.Raised in America’s devoutly religious Rust Belt, her parents would not have approved and fighting was an escape.At her current home in Austin, Texas, Christy said: “I was definitely not born to box.Sydney has mainly starred in rom coms and horror films in the pastCredit: GettyChristy in the ring in 1996Credit: Rex“I accidentally stumbled into boxing while I was in college. I thought it would be a great challenge and I got hooked.“My mother wasn’t happy about it and my dad said, ‘If you are going to do it, get trained and don’t get hurt’. I trained very hard.“I think the instinct to go for a knockout came from the emotional turmoil within me. I knew I was gay and I knew it wasn’t going to be accepted.“My family was very religious. When I was six, an older cousin sexually molested me and I didn’t tell anyone because I was scared. I had a lot of internal turmoil and, when you get into the boxing ring, you can be aggressive and violent and that is acceptable.“But to learn the skills I had to spend hours in the gym on hand pads trying to improve my hook and jab. I had to work really hard. Nothing came easy for me.”‘Prayed to survive’The sporting star was 22 when she met Jim, who was 25 years her senior. They married in 1991, at a time when she was becoming a household name, on a run of 35 consecutive fights undefeated and appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996.The same year, she fought on the undercard to heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in a bout promoted by Don King.Boxing brought unimaginable riches and she estimates she made around $4million in a career that stretched from 1989 to 2012, and saw her win the WBC female super-welterweight title in 2009. Christy with her husband and trainer JimCredit: GettyThe boxing great and her wife, Lisa HolewyneCredit: instagram/christymartinpromotionsMeanwhile, her troubled personal life ended up bringing nothing but pain.She said: “Jim controlled every move I made and every person I spoke with. I was his ATM machine, his only source of income, and he isolated me.“I tried to love him and be happy, but he knew I had feelings for women and he would threaten to expose me. It was not easy to be accepted as a female boxer, and I was always worried my fans would turn against me if they found out I was gay.”In 2007, she began using cocaine to escape the misery and it took her three years to kick the habit.She said: “My husband was supplying me with coke and I was snorting it. Before I even got out of bed in the morning, he would bring a line to me. If I complained I was tired after the gym, he would crush up a line before I had the chance to take my gloves off. I would be up for days — coke, coke, coke — and I was drinking a lot of beer. I wouldn’t even leave the house because I was afraid someone would see me high.“I’m lucky I didn’t die. I looked in the mirror one night and thought, you look like an addict.When I lay down, I was ready to dieChristy on night Jim tried to kill her“And I had to accept, you don’t look like an addict, you are an addict.“It took me a couple of days to get clean, but I had to realise, this is not who I am.”Christy’s husband had always vowed he would kill her if she left him.And in 2010, when she finally plucked up the courage to walk out of his life, he attempted to make good on his word.Having found the strength to fight back from the brink, Christy now lives with fellow former boxer Lisa Holewyne, 58, who she fought in Las Vegas in 2001 and married 16 years later.Christy said of the night Jim tried to kill her: “When I lay down, I was ready to die.“But at some point during the attack, I told him, ‘You can’t kill me’, and I prayed to survive.“I believe God had a plan for me, which must be talking about domestic violence and stopping others from going down that path.“And I hope my ex spends every day of his life in jail.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If he ever gets out, I am convinced he will kill me and, who knows, he might. I still look over my shoulder sometimes. He always told me, ‘If I can’t kill you, I will find someone that will’.“I get the occasional message from someone who has been in jail with him, and that shakes me up a bit.”Jim stabbed wife Christy multiple times in the chest and shot her once with her own pink revolverCredit: AlamyChristy was the first female slugger to grace the cover of Sports IllustratedCredit: Supplied More