An afternoon chat with ITV’s World Cup team of Gareth Southgate, Clive Tyldesley, Andy Townsend, & Adrian Chiles

By Oliver Sparrow, writing from London

As I turned up at the audience entrance of the London Television Centre on South Bank I was greeted by a seemingly endless line of gaggling middle-aged women. They looked as much like a group of respectable journalists as they did convincing football fans. Perhaps I had turned up on the wrong day? I was just about to accost one of the nattering hags when I heard one of the wider-than-tall security men bellow at me “You looking for the football event, mate?” and was subsequently ushered past the queue and in through the back entrance, VIP style. Turns out the women were queuing to be the live audience for ITV’s god-awful daytime TV show Loose Women. I’d really dodged a bullet, there.


When I arrived at the plush events room I sauntered over to the bar to grab a drink, not paying too much attention to the throng of media types chatting away to each other. Only when I turned round did I realise I was surrounded by TV presenters, commentators and ex-professional football players. I took a swift swig of my saccharine-sweet orange juice and dived in to see who I could grab a chat with. I somewhat awkwardly shoehorned my way into conversation with Jim Rosenthal (ITV sport presenter), Gabriel Clarke (ITV reporter) and Clive Tyldesley (commentator). We spoke of their excitement of the upcoming World Cup and how they thought England would get on. The general consensus was that we would do well to get any further than the quarter-finals, which I think is about accurate given England’s FIFA ranking and their recent performances against the ‘bigger’ teams (Spain, Brazil).

Talking to Clive was a really strange experience. Although I was vaguely aware of what he looked like before meeting him, I had an impression in my mind’s eye of what he looked like which had been formed and honed by hours upon hours of listening to his voice commentating on live football or playing football games on consoles. For the first couple of minutes I didn’t really listen to what he was saying as I was so engaged with analysing the marriage of his facial expression and his voice. However, he was a really entertaining man and seemed to have a genuine love of football – talking to me excitedly about England’s squad. He thought that Ledley King would make it to South Africa, but Adam Johnson would miss out as he felt it was too soon for him. Both predictions proved to be spot on.

We were then joined by respected sports writer Steve Stammers of The Mirror and ex-footballer turned pundit Andy Townsend. They were reminiscing about previous World Cups and the tomfoolery and shenanigans that seem to have been absent from the most recent tournaments. Andy Townsend told a couple of particularly amusing stories. One was from Italia ’90 where he was taking part in a pitch-side interview before a game. The late, great Pavarotti was standing in the centre circle doing his vocal warm-ups before a pre-match rendition of Nessun Dorma – which was interrupting their conversation – so in a grossly irreverent outburst of disrespect they turned around and shouted at him to “F**k off!”. Another story told of the dismay of Townsend and the rest of the Republic of Ireland squad at their inferior accommodation for USA ’94. They were put up in a Travelodge in “…the arse-end of nowhere” (Townsend’s words) which, following their eventual exit to the hands of The Netherlands, they proceeded to wreck in an epic post-match piss-up in which they took over the entire top floor of the hotel. I have to say, it sounded amazing, if not entirely professional…

The main event of the day was the unveiling of ITV’s World Cup coverage plans, which were explained by head of ITV sport Niall Sloane and newly-crowned face of ITV football, Adrian Chiles. There was much posturing about how the ITV had shown the entirety of England’s qualification campaign and all the matches that mattered. In truth, though, I think most people in the UK will watch BBC over ITV during the World Cup if they have a choice, as there are no adverts. This preference of uninterrupted football coverage was also evident when the BBC announced they would be bringing back Match of the Day, to be greeted by widespread joy amongst the football fans of the British Isles. When we settle down to watch the beautiful game, we don’t much like being interrupted by animated meerkats telling us how they can find us cheaper car experience. The rest of ITV’s World Cup team includes Marcel Desailly, Patrick Viera, Edgar Davids, Kevin Keegan, Gareth Southgate, Lucas Radebe, Andy Townsend, Robbie Earle and Craig Burley. Commentary will be provided by Clive Tyldesley, Peter Drury and Jon Champion.

 

The two main things that stand out about ITV’s coverage this year are the post-match analysis and entertainment show, hosted by James Corden, which looks like it will be a lot of fun, and their online coverage. We were treated to extended outtakes of the Corden show which showed him joshing around with the England players and generally having a fun time. I’m sure this will go down well with the British public and will be something that fans remember from this World Cup, no matter how England get on. It was reminiscent of Gazza’s prank videos in the England hotel at Italia ’90, which so delighted the public way back when. 

Their online coverage also looks like it will be a good addition. In a flash-based demo we were shown how users can watch live data stream onto their screens during World Cup matches which they can manipulate how they wish. Simultaneously, in another tab within the window, users can watch a live stream of the game. Their highlights package also looks very comprehensive. Users can even watch replays of the action which include the capability to change the camera angle to any position they wish, using digital manipulation, which could prove useful in analysing offside decisions.

 

After the presentation, there was a chance to interview some of the famous faces attending the event. I managed to get a few words with Adrian Chiles in which he expressed his anxiety at having to present a live football show in front of millions of people. I asked him whether we could expect any of the ITV team to get a little over excited during the England games (remember Ian Wright is his kimono, anyone?) and apparently Edgar Davids who is acting as one of their pundits has a tendency to go a little crazy during the Dutch games. Here’s to hoping England meet the Netherlands in the knock-out stages! He also praised Fabio Capello’s decision to take along David Beckham to the World Cup as part of the team, in spite of his injury. He also had to field some testing questions from an inquisitive and cheeky reporter from The Times who was clearly after a scoop on Chiles’ relationship with ex co-host Christine Bleakley from The One Show on the BBC, who is now widely reported to be going out with England’s own Frank Lampard. He dealt with the questions in a relaxed a friendly manner, and came across superbly. He also gave the general impression that he was a very knowledgeable football fan, and I think he will be an excellent host during the World Cup games.

 

Afterwards I got the chance to interview ex-England defender and Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, who will be one of the ITV World Cup pundits. 

It was an excellent event which certainly whetted the appetite for a month of brilliant football festivities. Getting excited yet?

17 Notes/ Hide

  1. oddsoccer answered: @getstuckin Cheers mate, glad you liked it. Yea, thought I’d throw it in. Was a bit of an impromptu interview, so wasn’t sure what to ask!
  2. getstuckinbarcelona answered: Great interview Oli! Love that you asked him about Triesman!
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