23 January 2023 , 13:29
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Jesse Lingard has revealed that he dreams of becoming an actor, with the former Manchester United star keen on breaking into comedy or animation work after football.
But the Nottingham Forest forward admits that he will need to receive some lessons before being cast in a major production as he outlined plans to move to Los Angeles.
In a candid interview with the Diary of a CEO podcast, the 30-year-old said: “I just want to be happy and do things that I want to do, to make me happy.” And Lingard hopes that will include getting big roles on screen even if he is “really bad” at effectively delivering scripts.
“After football I want to go into acting. Maybe start doing a little bit of voiceover work, animation kind of things,” he said. “But I need to take drama classes - I've not done that yet. I just love films. I've always been a big film lover. And to be involved in a film or a series would be amazing.
“I need to really home in on the drama side of things - I'm really bad with lines to be honest. I think I'll start in comedy first. And then when you see the Interstellars and Inceptions - them kind of roles. But that's going to take time. You're not going to be [cast] straight away. Maybe a bit part.
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“With a media company I've got so many things in the line-up, and obviously it's based in LA, and that's hopefully where eventually, hopefully, I want to finish football.”
Jesse Lingard in action for Nottingham Forest (Getty Images)Lingard also claimed that United director of football John Murtough briefed against him to the press last season in a successful attempt to scupper a proposed loan move to Newcastle United.
The 32-time England international also opened up on drinking regularly “to try and take the pain away” during the 2019-20 season when he was being severely criticised by United fans while dealing with family issues including his mother’s severe depression.
He has previously stated that he was caring for his younger siblings but said that his mum has been getting some professional help.
“I was drinking before bed, having a nightcap,” he said. “I look back now and think 'what was I doing that for? But I needed something to try and take the pain away.”
Lingard has made 14 appearances for Forest so far this season having signed a one-year contract as a free agent.