Football pundit becomes a regular panellist

Football pundit Micah Richards is to become a full-time panellist on A League Of Their Own.

The former Manchester City defender has joined the long-running Sky Max comedy panel show permanently, after Freddie Flintoff quit in February.

While he will be a regular on the blue team, opposite Jamie Redknapp's reds, Richards will not be its captain. Tthat role will be filled by a series of guests.

Filming for the 17th series of the show, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan, is now under way, and Richards said: 'I’ve been on A League of Their Own a few times in the past and have always had so much fun being part of the show.

‘I’m buzzing to be joining with two of my favourite people in Romesh and Jamie and am thrilled to be a regular guest panellist on the blue team throughout series seventeen.

‘We’ve got some great challenges and stunts planned and a stack of top names joining us. I can’t wait for the new series to burst onto the screen.’

Comedians lined up to appear in the new series include Rob Beckett, Jimmy Carr, Maisie Adam, Joel Dommett, Tom Davis and Josh Widdicombe.

A League Of Their Own returns on August 18.

A source said: "Micah has been great fun on A League Of Their Own over the last couple of years when he’s appeared as a guest. Bosses were keen to get him on board permanently.

"His infectious laugh and top banter make him perfect for the show. Plus, he is also highly competitive, which will result in some great scraps with Jamie."

Micah, who retired from football in 2019, is currently a regular on BBC1’s Match Of The Day, Radio 5 Live, Sky Sports and also covers the Champions League for Paramount+.

His profile has grown so much over the past two years that he has even been touted as a possible contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

The teams, plus host Romesh Ranganathan, take on unusual challenges, which this year feature doing a lap of Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit in an Alpine F1 car and learning the Irish sport of Gaelic football.

Other guests due to feature this series, which starts on August 18 and can be streamed on Now TV, include former Man United defender turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Olympic curling gold medallist Eve Muirhead.

Comics Rob Beckett, Jimmy Carr, Maisie Adam, and Josh Widdicombe will also be among the line-ups.

Published: 8 Jul 2022