Ian Wright
After the match on Saturdays.
Former England International Ian Wright needs virtually no introduction.
As a footballer, Ian played for Crystal Palace, Arsenal, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic, Burnley and England. During his celebrated career, he gained 33 England caps, and became Arsenal's highest ever goal scorer.
Rock 'N' Roll Football
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Born in Woolwich in Southeast London, Ian began his career playing for Crystal Palace. In 1991 he moved to Arsenal in a £2.5 million deal. By the end of the season he was widely acclaimed as he became the leading goalscorer for the old First Division. Renowned for being a tough player, he had a strong belief in both making and seizing opportunities.
While nearing the end of his footballing career in the late nineties, he began to make the transition towards the media, paving the way for his eventual retirement from the game.
When he made his television debut in January 1998 with his own chat show Friday Night's All Wright, the programme attracted record viewing figures of over four million. Transmitted during Late Prime Time slots after 10.30pm, the show's audience figures were unprecedented.
When he finally retired from the game at the end of the 2000 season, the stage was set for his transfer to a successful media career and Ian has since presented and appeared in a large number of successful TV shows.
In 2000 he was awarded an MBE in tribute to his sporting career.
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Ian was one of BBC Sport’s regular and popular football pundits appearing on live matches for the FA Cup, England Internationals and major championships including Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. He now appears as a pundit for live football on ITV and was one of the guest pundits for the first ever live match for ESPN.
Ian presented a four day a week radio show for two years until August 2009 on TALKsport at Evening Drive time and helped to substantially boost the channel’s circulation figures over the time he was there.
You can now hear Wrighty, Saturdays on Absolute Radio's Rock 'N' Roll Football alongside Russ Williams & Jim Proudfoot and from 10am on Saturday mornings on Absolute Radio 90s.
