Ian Wright: Comedy Jester

[Faustus]

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | 'Jester' Ian Wright attacks BBC

'Jester' Ian Wright attacks BBC

Footballer turned TV pundit Ian Wright has said he no longer wishes to work at the BBC, claiming he was made "a comedy jester" by the corporation.

The former England and Arsenal striker said fans could not relate to the BBC's coverage or its presenters.

"I don't know how long young people are going to want to sit down and watch that same old 'jacket, shirt and tie' format," he told Broadcast magazine.

"That's why I've said to them I don't want to do the England games any more."

A spokesman for the BBC said Wright was on a freelance contract and that it wished him well.

Wright was most often employed for coverage of England matches and FA Cup ties, the rights to which switch to ITV from August.

'Run-of-the-mill'

Wright, who will soon be seen hosting Gladiators on Sky One with Kirsty Gallacher, began presenting after he retired from football in 2000.

He joined the BBC in 2001, appearing on programmes including Match of the Day.

According to Broadcast, though, the 44-year-old believes he was "just there as a comedy jester to break the ice with Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen," whom he accused of doing "run-of-the-mill things".

"I can't do that anymore," he is quoted as saying. "People want something different."

You'd probably be able to take the article seriously if it didn't say "will soon be hosting Gladiators on Sky One."

[gkmacca]

What a joke! He's a self-made clown, and deserves to take full credit for it.

[Doh'Nuts]

First of all, it's a non-story. If the rights for the England games are switching to ITV in August, well he wouldn't be doing England games for the BBC anyway. so why has he only said it now when it's all finished and he's not getting any more money from them?

Because he's a self publicising hypocrite clown, that's why. He's played that role with the BBC for a number of years, and you could even question whether he even had to 'play' as it's obvious that that's his natural persona. So if he felt so put upon by those making fun of him, why didn't he leave long ago, as a point of principle...rather than now, as the principal has run out!

It wasn't all bad news though. The best bit about that was mention of the luscious Kirsty Galaacher

[bigredruss]

like andy cole retireing from international football

[dave u]

He's a douche. Remember him sitting there when he was asked to comment on an England defeat, and he wouldn't talk as he was too upset. Fuckin bum.

[zigackly]

I'm getting a strange feeling of deja vu ... what happened to the other Ian Wright thread?

[dirty_sanchez]

Ian Wright: A cunt on the pitch, and a cunt off it too.

[Thants]

I've been resigned!

[Slam Daniels]

That was one of my favourite letters to Viz...

Following Ian Wright's announcement that he is retiring from professional football, I would just like announce mine too. And so would my 5-year-old daughter.

[Jorge Borge]

Aah, it's true. I'd forgotten about the topical news program, Friday Night's All Wright, on which Ian Wright (Wright Wright) discusses the week's political hot potatoes. Poor, misunderstood tyke.

[njackets]

Thought it was just me!! Remember some lads mag readers (might of been FHM) voted him the top Sports pundit,he won by a land slide,and I was thinking he's shite wtf!?

[Hatred]

I'm so dissappointed. The sight of him after an England defeat always gave me the strength to go on and endless amount of pleasure.

[chris71]

Good riddence , fucking TIT.

[dalglish2rush]

i like wrighty, but hes such a thick cunt.! dont no what hes crying about,its not as if hes skint is it?
knob