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    I won the World Cup with France and starred in England, now I’m an actor who has appeared alongside Oscar winners

    FORMER Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf has shown his range since retiring from football, by becoming an actor in an Oscar-nominated film.Leboeuf, 55, starred for Chelsea in the Premier League between 1996 and 2001, making 201 appearances for the Blues and scoring 24 goals.
    Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf has had quite a dramatic career change since retiringCredit: Getty
    Lebouef played a Swiss doctor in Oscar-nominated film The Theory of EverythingCredit: .
    Leboeuf won six trophies with ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
    While in England, the defender won two FA Cups, the League Cup and the Uefa Super Cup.
    Leboeuf starred on the international stage too, winning the World Cup with France in 1998 and then the European Championships in 2000.
    But since retiring from football in 2007, Leboeuf has had quite a dramatic career change.
    Rather than gracing fans screens on a football pitch, he now enjoys time on the big screen and TV as an actor.
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    Asked by the BBC about his new career, Leboeuf said: “I came back to my first passion which was movies and plays. When I was four years old I wanted to be an actor.
    “When I gave up my career I went to LA to learn the process of acting. We have a chance to have maybe two different lives and I wanted to try that and it works pretty well.”
    Indeed, Leboeuf’s passion for the performing arts eventually saw him land a role as a Swiss doctor in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything.
    On landing the role, he added: “I called my agent and said it (the audition) didn’t work very well and then about a week after she said ‘come on you French beep, you got it’!
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    “And I said ‘oh my god it’s fantastic’.”
    The Stephen Hawking biopic saw the film nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, while lead actor Eddie Redmayne, who plays Professor Hawking, won Best Actor.
    The movies nomination saw Leboeuf earn the unique title of the first person to win the World Cup and star in an Oscar-nominated movie.
    “For me it’s just the beginning for another career,” he continued.
    “I don’t want to stop there and say ok well I did that and was nominated but I only played three minutes.
    “What I want is maybe someday to have a role like Eddie Redmayne has and be able to show what I’m capable of but we’ll see.”
    Since his cameo in the film, Leboeuf has expanded his acting CV, starring in the French stage play Ma belle mere et moi neuf mois apres, as well as a host of French TV shows and movies.
    His most recent role came in 2020 when he starred in an episode of French detective TV show Commissaire Magellan.
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    However, Leboeuf remains determined to achieve his dream of landing his Oscar.
    Asked whether he would consider swapping a Best Actor Oscar for his World Cup winners medal, he said: “Why do you want me to swap when I can have both?” More

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    Match of the Day to make history with first ever father-son punditry team in shake-up to regular cast

    IAN WRIGHT and Shaun Wright-Phillips are set to make Match of the Day history this weekend.The duo will become the first-ever father-son punditry team on Saturday night’s instalment of the long-running footie show.
    Ian Wright has been a Match of the Day pundit for several yearsCredit: BBC
    The ex-Arsenal and England hitman will be joined by son Shaun on MOTD this weekendCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
    Wright-Phillips played for Manchester City, Chelsea and EnglandCredit: GETTY
    An excerpt of a BBC statement read: “Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips will become the first father and son punditry team to appear on Match of the Day on Saturday.
    “Arsenal legend Wright, a regular pundit on the show, will be joined by son Wright-Phillips, who had two spells with Manchester City.
    “The pair will join Gary Lineker in the studio to review highlights from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.”
    There will no doubt be plenty of banter between father and son – who regularly trade jibes with one another on social media.
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    Wright-Phillips brutally trolled his old man after Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City last month.
    The former City star tweeted: “Hi @IanWright how’s things?
    “Just checking… Hope you’re okay, dad.”
    Wright-Phillip’s tweet was put to Ian during MOTD by host Gary Lineker.
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    Arsenal’s former all-time leading goalscorer said of his son: “He’s so annoying!
    “I taught him how to wee this boy… he still can’t reach the toilet now!”
    Lineker couldn’t help but see the funny side and replied: “He’s certainly taking the wee now!'”
    Wright-Phillips lit up the Premier League with Manchester City, Chelsea and QPR before leaving for the MLS in 2015 and retiring four years later.
    Brother Bradley also played in the Prem for City but spent the bulk of his career in the MLS before retiring last March.
    Shaun Wright-Phillips has done punditry work before with BT SportCredit: GETTY
    And Shaun recently admitted he reckons his old man lamented neither one of them playing for Arsenal.
    The 41-year-old told Four Four Two: “I’d imagine that if you asked him now, he’d say yes. It would’ve been a nice story to tell.
    “But I think he was just happy with what we achieved. We made our own paths.
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    “I played the way I wanted to, by enjoying watching a lot of wingers and attacking football when I was growing up; my brother liked watching people score goals, and you can see that with what he did in MLS.
    “We didn’t listen to much of the talk on the outside.” More

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    Jamie Carragher rushes to Kate Abdo’s rescue after CBS Sports host starts choking live on TV

    JAMIE CARRAGHER rushed to Kate Abdo’s rescue after she started choking live on TV. During CBS Sports coverage of the Champions League clash between Inter and AC Milan, Abdo introduced the show but soon found herself in a spot of bother.
    Kate Abdo started choking live on TVCredit: @CBSSportsGolazo/Twitter
    But Jamie Carragher was on hand to give her some waterCredit: @CBSSportsGolazo/Twitter
    The host seemed to catch a lump in her throat, stuttering briefly as she struggled to finish her sentence.
    After valiantly soldiering on to complete the sentence, she was then forced to pause and catch a second wind as she started coughing while covering her mouth to clear her throat.
    Fortunately, Carragher was on hand as he rushed over to hand her a bottle of water.
    Afterwards, Abdo joked she had “killed” the intro, while Micah Richards and Thierry Henry could be heard making jokes about the incident in the background.
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    Fans online rushed to the comments reacting to the turn of events.
    One fan wrote: “The way they care for this woman ehn🤣.”
    Others highlighted the reaction of Henry, who could be seen watching almost with a hint of a smirk as Abdo drank the water Carragher had provided.
    One typed: “Henry’s face 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣.”
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    A second said: “Henry’s look😂😂😂.”
    While a third joked: “Jamie with the save but Titi was straight up in trance watching her drink water 😂.”
    The CBS panel has drawn widespread praise from fans for the infectious chemistry it is able to generate between its pundits and host.
    However, it does not stop them from providing analysis on more serious matters.
    Last night’s show saw Carragher stun his colleagues after calling Rio Ferdinand “a clown”, while also taking a swipe at ex-team-mate Steven Gerrard. More

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    TV viewers in tears as Canelo Alvarez’s grandma watches him fight for first time in John Ryder win

    BOXING fans were left in tears as Canelo Alvarez’s grandma watched him fight for the very first time as a professional. Canelo returned home for a Mexican homecoming 12 years in the making against John Ryder in Guadalajara.
    Canelo Alvarez with his grandmaCredit: DAZN

    And it allowed his grandmother to watch him in action for the first time in his pro career, which started aged just 15.
    The pair were captured sharing a moment together before the fight, leaving fans emotional.
    One said: “Melting.”
    Another added: “I’m crying.”
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    One commented: “Beautiful.”
    Canelo, 32, broke Ryder’s nose and dropped the Londoner in round five on the way to retaining his titles.
    It was the undisputed super-middleweight champion’s first bout back in Mexico since 2011, when he defeated Ryan Rhodes.
    After beating Ryder, Canelo said: “It’s an historic moment for me.
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    “I’m blessed to be here with my people who have supported me from the beginning.
    “I’m glad to be here and thankful (to be here) with my people.”
    Ryder, 34, became the EIGHTH British opponent to have been beaten by Canelo, who now wants to rematch Dmitry Bivol, 32, at light-heavyweight.
    He said: “Same rules, same terms, same everything.
    “Everybody knows we want the rematch with Bivol, (but) if the fight with Bivol doesn’t happen then we’ll see.
    “I’m able to fight everybody.”
    Canelo Alvarez with his super-middleweight titlesCredit: Reuters More

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    Shock option to replace Jeff Stelling emerges alongside surprise favourite Adam Smith to front Soccer Saturday on Sky

    SKY SPORTS presenter Julian Warren has emerged as one of the potential candidates to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday, according to reports.Beloved frontman Stelling, who has been the face of Soccer Saturday for over 25 years, announced his departure from the programme last weekend.
    Stelling is set to leave Soccer Saturday at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
    Smith is currently the frontrunner for the jobCredit: https://www.instagram.com/adamjsmithy/
    Warren is also in the runningCredit: Instagram / @julianwarren
    He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.
    “It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.
    “It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”
    Stelling’s last show as host will be on May 28 – the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
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    But talks over his potential replacement are already underway.
    SunSport reported earlier this week that Adam Smith – also known as ‘Smithy’ – is frontrunner for the role.
    The Saturday Social presenter recently took part in a screen test that “went down a storm” with Sky bosses.
    And many people behind the scenes are now eager for him to get the job.
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    However, according to The Daily Mail, Warren is also competing for the job.
    Warren is already experienced in the role, having been Stelling’s stand-in for years.
    So he would likely take no time to settle into the role on a full-time basis.
    Sky are attempting to cut costs after losing nine per cent of their UK subscribers.
    Several football reporters are facing redundancy as a result, so a big-money recruit from outside the organisation is seen as inappropriate in the circumstances. More

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    Shock Sky favourite in talks to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday after secret interview last year

    SKY Sports’ Adam Smith is in pole position to replace Jeff Stelling as host of Soccer Saturday.He was discreetly interviewed for the job last year alongside Mark Chapman and Julian Warren.
    Jeff Stelling is stepping down as host of Soccer Saturday later this monthCredit: Enterprise
    Adam Smith is in pole position to replace Jeff as hostCredit: BackGrid
    Insiders said the presenter, known as “Smithy”, who hosts The Saturday Social, also shone in a screen test for the position that “went down a storm” with bosses.
    Jeff, 68, confirmed on Saturday he was stepping down after more than 25 years as host of the long-running football show.
    A source said: “Smithy is the frontrunner to take on Jeff’s role.”
    They added: “There are a lot of people behind the scenes who are batting for him to get the job.
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    “Soccer Saturday is a tough gig and it needs a solid broadcaster who is quick on their feet.
    “Stepping into Jeff’s shoes is a massive responsibility but plenty of his colleagues think Smithy is the right person for the job.”
    A second source said: “No decisions have been made yet on Soccer Saturday and discussions are ongoing.”
    Jeff’s last show in the role will be on May 28 when the final Premier League games of the season are being played.
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    Five replacements for Jeff Stelling including Laura Woods after Sky Sports legend announces he will quit Soccer Saturday

    SKY SPORTS will have the tough task of replacing legendary presenter Jeff Stelling after he announced his plans to quit.The 68-year-old broadcaster revealed his decision live on air and received rapturous applause from the pundits in the studio and the film crew behind the camera.
    Sky Sports will have to replace Soccer Saturday host Jeff StellingCredit: Enterprise
    His final broadcast – which will no doubt be watched by thousands of long-time fans of Soccer Saturday – will be on May 28, ending his 25 years in the role.
    Stelling – who is beloved by footy fans for his over-the-top reactions and way with words – joined Sky back in 1992.
    The Hartlepool United superfan intended to leave his role after the end of the 2021/22 campaign but opted to stay on for another season.
    Here, SunSport looks at five candidates who could fill his boots.
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    1. Laura Woods
    Laura Woods is one of the best broadcasters aroundCredit: Splash
    Laura Woods would be an excellent choice to replace Stelling, given her current prevalence in the sports world.
    Fans love the broadcaster for her quick wit, and she would have no trouble dealing with the programme’s cast pundits such as Tim Sherwood and Paul Merson.
    Woodsy is currently working at talkSPORT along with a few other broadcasters but does have previous experience working for Sky.
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    2. Micah Richards
    Micah Richards has built a big reputation as a pundit since retiring from playingCredit: PA
    The former Manchester City defender is a fan favourite for his sense of humour and he could bring that side of himself to the long-standing show.
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    Richards does work with Sky already as well as a number of other broadcasters, which he puts down to rejecting a massive £100,000-per-week contract at City during his career.
    Richards could also make some good viewing if he strikes up similar friendships with the show’s current pundits, just like he has done with former Manchester United hardman Roy Keane.
    3. Mark Chapman
    Mark Chapman could also be considered by Sky SportsCredit: PA
    Mark Chapman would also be a solid choice for Sky Sports to take over the role.
    The broadcaster has done a stellar job of hosting Match of the Day 2 as well as stepping in on Match of the Day when needed since 2014.
    Chapman also brings a wealth of knowledge from outside of football, having often provided insight into the NFL, golf and snooker.
    4. Julian Warren
    Julian Warren has worked as the presenter on Soccer Saturday beforeCredit: INSTAGRAM – @julianwarren
    Julian Warren is a familiar face to sports fans in the UK as he works as a senior presenter on Sky Sports News.
    He is also the host of Soccer Special, which would help him ease into the void left by Stelling.
    He has already filled in for Stelling on Soccer Saturday and despite having previously admitted to getting “nervous” about the job, he always wants to do the “best job possible”, as he revealed in an interview with Obstructed View.
    5. David Jones
    David Jones is a consistent broadcaster on Sky SportsCredit: PA
    Currently, the presenter of Monday Night Football and Super Sunday, David Jones is one of the top hosts at Sky Sports.
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    He has already worked alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Graeme Souness, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Roy Keane so would be perfectly comfortable alongside the Soccer Saturday cast.
    Plus his Saturdays are already free with his current regular work schedule. More

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    Jeff Stelling to quit as Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host at end of season after 25 years in job

    JEFF STELLING has announced he’s stepping down as Soccer Saturday host – after a whopping 25 YEARS at the helm.The 68-year-old’s final broadcast – which will no doubt be watched by thousands of long-time fans of the show – will be on May 28.
    Jeff Stelling will retire from Soccer Saturday duty at the end of the seasonCredit: Sky Sports
    Jeff leaves the Soccer Saturday desk after 25 YEARS of serviceCredit: BSKYB
    An emotional Stelling announced his departure live on air and received rapturous applause from the pundits in the studio and the film crew behind the camera.
    He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.
    “It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.
    “It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”
    Footie fans were quick to react to the news of Stelling’s departure.
    One tweeted: “Sad to see Jeff Stelling stepping down at Sky Sports.
    “An absolute titan. Simply won’t be the same without him.”
    Another said: “Gutted Jeff Stelling is leaving Soccer Saturday. He was fantastic in it. End of an era.”
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    And another said: “Soccer AM and now Jeff Stelling. Saturdays won’t be the same anymore on Sky.”
    Sky Sports Director of Football, Gary Hughes, paid a heartfelt tribute to the outgoing Stelling shortly after his imminent departure was announced.
    He said: “After a brilliant 30-plus year career at Sky, including over 25 years as the much-loved host of Soccer Saturday, Jeff Stelling is leaving Sky Sports at the end of the current football season.
    “Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere.
    “His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.
    “Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades.
    Stelling’s over-the-top reactions to his beloved Hartlepool scoring were beloved by Soccer Saturday fansCredit: SKY SPORTS
    His hijinks and banter also made the showCredit: SKY SPORTS
    “Exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere.
    “His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.
    “He will be sorely missed.
    “Sky Sports will give him the great send-off his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves before he leaves us at the end of May to spend more Saturdays with his beloved Hartlepool United.”

    Stelling – who is beloved by footy fans for his over-the-top reactions and way with words – joined Sky all the way back in 1992.
    The Hartlepool United superfan intended to leave his role after the end of the 2021/22 season but opted to stay on for another season. More