The BBC has announced the two pundits set to fill the shoes of Arsenal legend Ian Wright on Match of the Day. The 60-year-old former striker, best known for his time at Crystal Palace and Arsenal, bid farewell to the iconic show in December last year, over 25 years after his debut.
Wright, who scored a record-breaking 185 goals for Arsenal - a record later surpassed by Thierry Henry - is now a household name, having made his TV debut while still playing in 1997 and appearing on ITV's hit reality show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2019. As the new Premier League season kicks off this week, the BBC has unveiled the two stars hoping to emulate Wright's success on the weekly highlights show.
Former England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott and ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will be providing analysis and insight on the weekend's fixtures alongside Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards. Both have recently ventured into punditry following their retirement from football, with Walcott appearing on Sky Sports' Premier League coverage and Hart contributing to the BBC's coverage of Euro 2024 this summer.
The 37-year-old retired last summer and was recently the subject of fan mockery due to his 'zebra crossing tattoos' when he appeared live on TV.
As Match of the Day marks its 60th anniversary this month, it's become a staple of Saturday night viewing. However, fans will need to brace themselves for a significant shift as a new generation of pundits steps into the spotlight.
