Ian Wright could barely contain excitement on debut Match of the Day appearance

18 December 2023 , 01:00

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Ian Wright could barely contain excitement on debut Match of the Day appearance

Ian Wright will step down as a pundit on Match of the Day at the end of the season, 27 years after making his dream debut.

Arsenal legend Wright, who became a regular MOTD pundit in 2002 following his retirement two years prior, says the decision "had been coming for a while" and was "fast-tracked" by turning 60 last month. The former England striker was buzzing on his very first appearance back in December 1997, telling presenter Des Lynam after being introduced on the programme: "This is my Graceland, Des."

Wright, suavely suited in a purple shirt and tie while wearing black blazer, then beamed to Lynam: "I love it here. Match of the Day, man." The forward, still playing for Arsenal, then pulled a cheesy grin, as he couldn't contain his excitement sitting alongside Sir Trevor Brooking.

Over two spells, the first of which ended in 2008 before his return seven years later, Wright has become a staple pundit for the BBC programme but will step out of the chair one final time when the current Premier League campaign comes to an end on Sunday, May 19.

"After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I'll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season," Wright announced in a statement before appearing on this Sunday's Match of the Day 2 alongside fellow pundit Alan Shearer and host Mark Chapman.

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"I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world. Anyone that knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was a young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told [presenter] Des Lynam, 'This is my Graceland'. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching."

Get involved! Who's your favourite ever MOTD pundit? Give us your pick in the comments section.

The 60-year-old has received hoards of well-wishes from friends and colleagues like Gary Lineker, with Shearer also writing on social media platform X before joining him on the show: "Wrighty, if you're reading this, you make life a joy. You're funny, passionate and you have such a desire to make the world a better place. Match of the Day will miss you greatly."

Nathan Ridley