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      FA breach TV blackout rules on police advice over fan safety fears for Man City’s FA Cup clash against Sheffield United

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      THE FA will lift their Saturday TV blackout for Manchester City’s semi-final against Sheffield United because of police advice.City’s match at Wembley on April 22 will kick-off at 4:45pm – which clashes with the 2.45pm-5.15pm blackout period – and will be shown on ITV1.
      The FA will lift their Saturday TV blackout for Manchester City’s semi-final against Sheffield UnitedCredit: Rex
      According to the Daily Mail, the FA wanted the usual 5.30pm start for Saturday semi-finals.
      But police told them the game could not kick-off any later than 4.45pm on safety grounds.
      It means the FA have been forced to breach their own blackout rules, which have been in place since the 1960s.
      A spokesperson for the FA said: “The kick-off times for our fixtures are scheduled in collaboration with the clubs, local authorities, police, and broadcasters.
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      “We were informed by the police and local safety advisory group that 16.45 was the latest time possible for this tie.”
      The ruling was introduced, at the instigation of then-Burnley chairman Bob Lord more than 50 years ago, in the belief that it would prevent TV football damaging attendances at other matches.
      During coronavirus lockdown, when games where played behind closed doors, matches were aired during the blackout period.
      And the EFL are also willing to end it from the 2024-25 season as part of their new TV rights deal.
      Most read in FA Cup
      DAZN are among the bidders for the next three-season package of EFL rights, with competitors including Sky, Viaplay and TNT Sports, the new name for what was BT Sport until the takeover by Discovery.
      EFL bosses are looking to increase the current package, worth £119m per season, to £200m plus, a huge potential financial lifeline for struggling clubs.
      But the DAZN option would see a huge increase in the number of games available including the traditional Saturday afternoon slot, currently protected from broadcasting by Article 48 of Uefa Statutes.
      DAZN argues that under the current system, with matches on Sky, lower division fans are being starved of the chance to watch their teams unless they go to the matches.
      Only 20 games League One are shown each season, 10 in League Two and last season 26 of the 72 EFL clubs did not feature at all.
      The EFL are also willing to end the TV blackout from the 2024-25 seasonCredit: Rex More

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      Channel 4 host Jules Breach brutally taunts Gerrard and Cole in opening line to coverage of England’s win over Italy

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      ENGLAND heroes Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole were savagely taunted by Channel 4 host Jules Breach on live TV.Gerrard and Cole teamed up with Breach as well as legendary Lioness Jill Scott to cover the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory over Italy in Naples.
      Jules Breach trolled Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole before England vs ItalyCredit: Rex
      Jules Breach was joined by Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and Jill ScottCredit: Rex
      The Liverpool legend and the ex-Chelsea star found themselves subjected to some brutal banter when the presenter introduced all three pundits before the Euro 2024 qualifier.
      The journalist presented the two golden generation stars and then pointed out how Scott is the only member of the panel that actually won something for England after last year’s women’s Euros triumph.
      Breach said: “I’m here alongside two members of the England golden generation…
      “And someone who has actually won something in an England shirt, Jill Scott!”
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      But Gerrard and Cole took it on the chin as they started laughing at Breach’s quip.
      The former Aston Villa boss hit back by explaining how the reference was not in relation to Scott’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here win last year.
      The former Everton and Manchester City star in turn quipped: “That’s fine, I’ll just take the Euros. That’s fine.”
      That interaction left fans in stitches as they took to social media to join in on all the fun.
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      One supporter tweeted: “I thought Steven Gerrard was going to headbutt Jules Breach when she said ‘we’re joined by two players of the golden generation, and a player that’s actually won something for England’.”
      Another commented: “Class! That made me chuckle.”
      A third posted: “Introduction they wasn’t expecting.” More

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      John Motson laid to rest as football stars mourn BBC commentary legend at his funeral

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      FOOTBALL stars mourned John Motson as the legendary commentator was laid to rest at his funeral today.The BBC pundit and iconic voice of football died aged 77 last month leaving the world of sport reeling.
      John Motson sadly passed away last month at the age of 77Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The coffin of John Motson is carried into Crownhill Crematorium, Milton KeynesCredit: PA
      Mark Lawrenson, Bob Wilson and Ray Stubbs arrive for the funeralCredit: PA
      Pundit Garth Crooks was also seen attending the ceremony to send off MottyCredit: PA
      Commentator Martin Tyler arrives at the funeral serviceCredit: PA
      Martin Keown arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John MotsonCredit: PA
      Bob Wilson and Sir Trevor Brooking greet each other before the serviceCredit: PA
      A floral wreath of the Tottenham Hotspur badge ahead of Motty’s funeralCredit: PA
      Motty’s wife Anne Motson at the funeralCredit: PA
      Guests coming to pay their respects at the serviceCredit: PA
      Motson, who was affectionately known as Motty, celebrated 50 years at the BBC in 2018 before hanging up his mic in May that year.
      The legendary commentator covered more than 2,000 games, including 29 FA Cup Finals, and covering ten World Cups and ten Euros.
      Friends, families and stars all turned up in memory of Motty at the Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes today.
      Former footballers and broadcasters Mark Lawrenson, Sir Trevor Brooking, Bob Wilson and Ray Stubbs were pictured at the funeral.
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      While pundits Garth Crooks and Martin Keown were also seen arriving to pay their respects to Motty.
      And legendary Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler was also spotted making an appearance as well as broadcasting stalwart Jim Rosenthal.
      MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman and former CEO of FIFA Brian Barwick also attended to salute the commentary legend as he was laid to rest.
      Tottenham Hotspur FC left a wreath of flowers in the club’s crest with a card describing Motty as “a true gentleman” and “great loss to the footballing world”.
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      The service at Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes, Bucks kicked off at 11.30am with hundreds of mourners queuing to get inside Oak Chapel.
      Others spilled out listening on speakers as Motty’s son Fred said: “Everyone knew John Motson as Motty but of course to me he was just dad,” adding: “I’ll miss my best mate”.
      He remembered helping fill up his Ford Sierra at the local petrol station every Friday ahead of the weekend’s match – before pinching mint imperials from the hotel next door.
      And a vivid memory of decapitating his mum Anne’s ornament while playing hallway football with his dad versus ex-England and Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson and his son.
      The service was followed by a private wake held at Stadium MK, where he regularly watched MK Dons with wife Anne.
      Motson was famed for his signature coat as he became the voice of football for countless generations.
      He was born in Salford and began his journalistic career in Barnet – the team he supports on the Barnet Press.
      He worked as a reporter between 1963 and 1967 before being hired for BBC Radio 2.
      His first radio commentary was an Everton v Derby clash in December 1969.
      Three years later, Motson became a household name thanks to his work on Match of the Day.
      His breakthrough came during Hereford’s shock 2-1 win against Newcastle in the 1972 FA Cup replay.
      Motson was only meant to cover the match for a five-minute segment but Ronnie Radford’s famous 30-yard strike meant the clash was promoted to the main game.
      He famously remarked on the game: “Oh what a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford! And the crowd are on the pitch. What a tremendous shot by Ronnie Radford.”
      It helped propel his career even further – with Motson going on to voice major FA Cup, European Championships and World Cup finals.
      Motson’s last day at the BBC came at Crystal Palace’s 2-0 home win against West Brom in 2018. Palace’s then-boss Roy Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programmes from his first and last matches.
      He later came out of retirement to join talkSPORT.
      Motson lived in Hertfordshire with his wife Anne, who he married in 1977.
      They have one son together called Fred, who was born in 1986.
      Read More on The Sun
      A huge factor in his success was Anne, who kept a log detailing all his games.
      Motson said: “My research is based mainly on my wife’s wonderful record book which she keeps dutifully and diligently every day of the season with all the teams, matches, appearances, goalscorers, newspaper cuttings, you name it.”
      Motty in his signature sheepskin coatCredit: Rex
      Former CEO of FIFA Brian Barwick arrives to the funeral of John Motson on FridayCredit: PA More

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      Georgina Rodriguez reveals amazing reaction to seeing Cristiano Ronaldo for first time as £10-an-hour shop worker

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      GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ has revealed she thought Cristiano Ronaldo was so handsome the first time she met him as a £10-an-hour clothes shop worker, she had trouble looking him in the eyes.The 29-year-old model and influencer admitted it was “love at first sight” when he walked into the Gucci store in Madrid where she was employed at the time.
      Georgina Rodriguez has revealed her first reaction to meeting Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AP
      And in her first TV interview ever last night she said: “He’s such a handsome man. When I saw him he was so handsome I felt embarrassed to look at him.”
      She also revealed for the first time the 2016 encounter that changed her life was a chance meeting because she was supposed to have left the shop at 5pm and had only stayed on to help a female client that a male colleague normally attended to because he was on holiday. 
      Georgina, who now has two children with the footballer but treats his three kids as if they were her own, said: “I was finally able to leave the shop to go home three hours later than I should have and as I was getting ready to leave Cristiano came in with his eldest son and some friends. Let’s just say it was butterflies in my stomach.”
      The Argentinian-born Spaniard, who admitted to being nervous at the start of her interview on popular night-time Spanish show El Hormiguero but relaxed as the programme went on, also showed off two of her three tattoos and promised to reveal the third in the second series of her new Netflix show out on Friday.
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      One of the inkings she let the cameras do a close-up of was a picture of an angel, dedicated to her twin called Angel who died last April.
      Speaking of the other, consisting of the initials ‘C’ and ‘G’ with a heart between them, Georgina told the show host and members of the studio audience who included her sister Ivana and friends: “The moment I had this tattoo done is on my reality show.
      “It was my first trip to Paris with Cristiano. We were in the hotel room and on the bedside tables they leave notepads with a pencil. I went to lie down and I saw CG on the notepad and ended up taking it and still have it to this day.
      “I always wanted to have a tattoo done with it and we were on holiday with friends in Sardinia and I said I wanted a tattoo, well a tattoo that ended up being three, and I had this one done.”
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      She went on to gush: “Cristiano is marvellous. He’s a wonderful father, a wonderful son, brother, friend and partner, boss and employee because he’s an employee as well. He’s fantastic in every sense of the word.
      “Sometimes we’re at home eating and I look at him and think ‘How lucky I feel to be the one he’s chosen to create this wonderful family’ and I go to bed really happy.”
      Georgina raised eyebrows at the start of the interview, when she admittedly appeared very nervous, by confessing: “I love my children all day, but not those of others.”
      And she caused another stir when she added after explaining both she and Cristiano come from working-class families and try to ensure their children know they are very lucky to have the privileged life they lead: “I tell them they shouldn’t leave their food and if they don’t eat it it’s for their afternoon snack later.
      “At times I put them on videos of children who don’t have food and tell them that’s what could happen to them.”
      Georgina also let slip that she had been offered work on the big screen but had turned down the chance because of a “lack of time.”
      The star, who now has more than 47 million fans on Instagram, said: “I have been offered the chance to do films. Because of a lack of time I haven’t been able to accept any of the roles.
      “I know I would do it well. I have done classical dance which has involved interpreting roles since I was a child.”
      Insisting money had only changed her “for the better” because it meant she could help her family and friends much more than before which was “very gratifying”, she went on to speak glowingly of Saudi Arabia.
      Georgina met the footy star when she was a £10-an-hour Gucci shop workerCredit: Instagram
      The couple and their children are now loving life in Saudi ArabiaCredit: instagram
      Cristiano left Man United by mutual consent last November following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he accused the club of betraying him and admitted he didn’t respect manager Erik ten Tag.
      His £173 million-a-year move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr after the World Cup made him the highest-paid sportsman ever.
      Despite the country’s poor human rights record Georgina made it clear she loves where she now lives and thinks women are well treated there.
      Asked how she was adapting to life in Riadh, where she and her family first lived in a skyscraper hotel before moving to their first proper Middle Eastern home, she said: “It’s a marvellous country.
      “I have to admit I went there very conditioned by what people say about it and what you hear but it’s a very safe country, a real family place and they really look after women and their children. People are very generous and really thoughtful.
      “A girlfriend of mine came to visit and was in a hotel and they hadn’t left her any water. As it was very expensive she went to a call centre but her card wasn’t working and she didn’t have any local currency.
      “A man ended up inviting her to a bottle of water. The people are very kind and very thoughtful.”
      Georgina wasn’t asked about the three miscarriages she is set to reveal she suffered in chapter one of the upcoming second series of her new Netflix show before the loss of her child nearly a year ago. 
      It emerged at the weekend she would make the heart-wrenching confession. 
      Read More on The Sun
      Briefly speaking about the loss of Angel at the end of the interview, she said: “There’s been a lot of darkness but a lot of love. Doing this second series has helped a lot because I had a female director who I really got on with and helped me massively. 
      “My friends have been by my side and Cristiano of course. I’ve had the good fortune to share this tragedy with those closest to me which has also helped.”
      The couple lost one of their twin sons tragically last yearCredit: Alamy More

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      I was a Soccer AM Soccerette TWICE – it was great fun for models like me but I have a different view of it now

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      I LOVED watching Soccer AM so much that I appeared as a Soccerette twice.The weekend show was perfect when you had a hangover from a night out and was essential viewing for a football fan like me.
      I was a Soccer AM Soccerette TWICE – it was great fun for models like me, says Peta Todd
      Peta Todd believes the end of Soccer AM is a sign of the timesCredit: Louis Wood
      I wouldn’t take my kit off on television now, but back then I was a model and was glad to be invited on.
      I enjoyed it enough to return to show off my West Ham top for a second time.
      The hosts were always great to work with – it was always fun.
      I wasn’t the only one who wanted to be on Soccer AM.
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      The calibre of guests such as Wayne Rooney shows how popular it was.
      Soccer AM was the first time I really felt that a female host was holding their own on a football show.
      Torquay United fan Helen Chamberlain was a trailblazer for women in sports presenting.
      There weren’t that many female pundits 30 years ago and few are as well respected as her.
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      She was able to hold her own with all the banter of those laddish men.
      If there was nonsense going on, she would put her foot down.
      A lot of people will be nostalgic about Soccer AM and it is a shame it is ending.
      But it was a show that thrived in the 1990s and I don’t think it would get commissioned now.
      Its main problem is that younger audiences prefer to watch YouTube shows or listen to podcasts.
      The end of Soccer AM is a sign of the times. More

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      Why has Soccer AM been cancelled?

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      SKY SPORTS fan’s favourite Soccer AM is set to be axed at the end of the season.The Saturday morning football show has been on the air for nearly 30 years.
      Former Soccer AM hosts Lim Lovejoy and Helen ChamberlinCredit: Sky Sports
      Why has Soccer AM been axed?
      Staff were told the unfortunate news that the show would be coming to an end and that they would be made redundant in May.
      A source told the Sun: “It was a complete bombshell.
      “Morale is at an all-time low, they are raging.
      “It’s going to be an interesting watch over the next few weeks.”
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      A Sky Spokesperson has said: “Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.
      “We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people.
      “We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”
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      Who presents Soccer AM?
      Soccer AM is presented by former Wigan Athletic and Hull City star Jimmy Bullard.
      He is joined on the presenting team by John ‘Fenners’ Fendley.
      The show was first presented by Russ Williams and Helen Chamberlin.
      Then in 1996, Helen was joined by Tim Lovejoy, and the two formed a well-loved partnership.
      The iconic pairing is the duo that most people associate with the show.
      Lovejoy left the show in 2007 after 11 years in the job, while Chamberlin presented Soccer AM up until 2017.
      Former Soccer AM presenter, Lovejoy, discussed his relationship with the show with the Atheltic in 2020: “I stopped watching it when I left, it was too hard to watch it.
      “I tune in every now and then because Fenners is on it and I want to support him.
      “Again, another crap analogy, it’s like watching your old girlfriend with another man.
      “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t watch it. So I stopped watching it totally.
      “And then I started tuning in again to watch Fenners, because obviously I worked with him for years and he’s a top bloke.
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      “It’s too hard for me because I watch it all and I want to join in with it.
      “I’d really like to input on the show and put stuff on there and I find it too hard.” More

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      Love Island star Tom Clare praises Robbie Savage after Macclesfield owner allowed ‘chance of a lifetime’ TV appearance

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      LOVE ISLAND star Tom Clare has praised Macclesfield owner Robbie Savage for allowing him to go on the reality TV show.Non-league footballer Clare, 23, took time out from playing for the Northern Premier League West side to go on the hit-ITV dating programme.
      Footballer Tom Clare came third on Love Island alongside Samie ElishiCredit: Rex
      Robbie Savage allowed Clare to appear on the reality showCredit: Getty
      He came in as the show’s first bombshell arrival and made it all the way to the final.
      Clare finished the programme alongside partner Samie Elishi, 22, placing third behind winners Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan and runners-up Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins.
      The Macclesfield striker was given the all-clear to go on Love Island by Savage and the rest of the club chiefs.
      And he is now hoping he can repay them by bringing more attention to their games.
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      Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It’s good for Macclesfield, they are a huge club anyway, but if I can bring them more into the public eye, bring more fans through the game – it’s more revenue for the club.
      “Rob [Smethurst] and Robbie [Savage] and everyone behind the scenes work so hard.
      “I don’t know if people have seen the documentary, but if you look from the start to where we are now, the work that has gone into it, people do not see.
      “If I can bring more fans through the gate, I would be so happy. Maybe a few shirts of Samie No9 on the back.
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      “I have got so much love for the club.”
      Clare returned to watch Macclesfield beat Runcorn Linnets 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.
      But he is not planning to get back onto the pitch until next season.
      Macclesfield sit top of the Northern Premier League West, nine points clear of second-place AFC Sudbury.
      Clare is not expected to return to the pitch until next seasonCredit: Twitter/Macclesfield FC More

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      I fell in love on Netflix reality TV show Too Hot To Handle – now I am focused on returning to motor racing

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      HANDSOME racing driver turned reality TV star Seb Melrose is ready to return to motorsport.The 25-year-old, who last appeared at the Ginetta GT4 Supercup in 2021, found a new audience when he starred on Netflix hit Too Hot To Handle.
      Seb Melrose is keen to return to motor racing after his stint on reality TV
      Handsome Melrose came runner-up with stunning LA girl Kayla RichartCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      He came runner-up with now ‘longterm’ love Kayla Richart – scoring plenty of fans and admirers, as well as earning a huge social media following.
      That makes Melrose a more attractive proposition for manufacturers now, as they look to bring sponsors in and he looks for a drive this season.
      While, with his fame affording him a subsidised seat, it’s realistic for the Scottish star to become a gentleman driver who pays for his seat.
      Melrose told SunSport: “I am trying to sort out a few deals – I really want to get back into racing cars.
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      “I’ve had a few chats with touring car, so we will see where that takes us.
      “But, for the first time ever, money is no longer the issue. It’s about finding the drive.
      “I’ve found different opportunities with it now.
      “Since the age of 16, I always wanted to become a racing driver and work my way up to becoming a works driver for a big manufacturer.
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      “That’s kind of changed now. I feel there’s more of an opportunity to earn and to keep your life fairly free. So you could be almost like a gentleman driver – without sounding like an old guy!
      “I’ve got the opportunity now to not race as a full-on professional, but be a professional driver while keeping my contracts wide open.
      “I’ve no longer got that pressure that I need to find a manufacturer and get paid.
      “Because of my social media numbers now, the growth and engagement I can provide to manufacturers, they have subsidised a lot of the seats for me.
      “Racing is cheaper than it has ever been. I don’t mind paying, and now I can pay for a seat that is subsidised.”
      Thanks to his popularity on Too Hot To Handle, Melrose has over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
      The godson of three-time Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti also receives plenty of paid partnerships on social media. It makes him a far more attractive prospect to hire.
      He revealed: “I’m not going to talk for anyone, everyone is on their own journey. For me, specifically, for what I can now provide to sponsors and teams is something that other drivers can’t.
      Now with a strong Instagram following, Melrose is a huge catch for manufacturersCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Thanks to his new found fame, Melrose enjoys a glam lifeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I am still a quick driver. I can still peddle a car. So not only will they get someone who has the ability to get on the podium, they also get someone who can market their sponsors.
      “When it came to the crunch of chasing my dream in racing or going on a reality TV show, I thought I could actually combine the two.
      “Thankfully, it paid off. I’ve got the numbers now and I came across well, but it could easily have gone south.
      “I could have been hated, and the sponsors might not have wanted to associate with me.”
      Despite flirting with celebrity, Melrose admitted he missed motor racing.
      He eloquently explained what it means to him: “It’s an escape for reality.
      “You get the helmet on and the belt and strapped in, you’re not thinking about anything else, but what you’ve got to do on that race track at any given time.
      “It’s almost like a form of meditation for me now.
      Melrose appeared on Too Hot To Handle’s recent fourth season
      Kayla Richart stole the heart of Melrose on the show
      “You are still faced with other types of stress, performing and timings, but you kind of go into another world and all you care about is your car and what is going on around you.”
      Melrose won the charms of stunning LA beauty Kayla, 22, despite plenty of competition on Too Hot To Handle.
      In a way, he joked, it was almost like the sport he competes in.
      “It was competitive, just like racing,” he said.
      “Everyone was competing for the same girl, Kayla. She was the girl I fancied and I felt there was a connection there, just like the other guys.
      “But I wasn’t biggest guy there, I didn’t have the biggest muscles, and wasn’t the tallest. I probably had the worst engine out of the lot, but I still managed to leave everyone else behind.
      Kayla is looking forward to seeing Melrose race againCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Melrose is ready for a sport in touring carCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I couldn’t have had a better experience. I came out with Kayla, who is someone I view as longterm.”
      And in Kayla, Melrose will have his No1 supporter cheering him on from the stands when he returns to the track.
      “She’s looking forward to me racing just as much as I am,” Melrose added.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Kayla’s nervous about it, and she would like me to race in the States. I’ve got a couple of options this season, so we will see.
      “But this year I am ready for it, I want to get out there and show people what I can do and have fun doing it.” More