Ian Wright reveals real reason he quit Match of the Day
Ian Wright has revealed the reason he quit 'Match of the Day' - because he wants to watch even more football.
The Arsenal legend is looking forward to watching the club play more as a fan rather than a pundit, and he also can't wait to watch his granddaughter Raphaella Wright-Phillips - whose dad is former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, 42 - play more of the beautiful game.
Speaking on his 'Wrighty’s House' podcast, he said: "I’m going to actually watch more football.
"I’m going to watch my grand-daughter. I’m going to watch a lot more women’s games.
"I’m going to watch a lot more Arsenal games, just to be there with fans. Go with my son and his missus, be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or when we lose.
"It’s been a bit of a realisation that I want to give quality time to them.
"So that’s what I want. To watch games, spend time with people."
Ian, who made his first appearance on the football highlights show in 1997, insisted his time on the programme was "more than I ever thought it would be".
He added: "I don’t want to go too deep into what it means to me, but the music ... every time I hear the music it takes me back to an unbelievable place when I first remember what 'Match Of The Day' meant to me, when I was allowed to actually be on it.
"When I was actually good enough to be on it as a regular, it was more than I ever thought it would be.
"When I first went on, I was winging it. I remember Des Lynam, when he welcomed me on, I said to him, ‘This is my Graceland’.
"You know, like when people visit Elvis? Match Of The Day was my Graceland. It’s an institution."
The 60-year-old former footballer took to X on the weekend to reveal he will be "stepping back" from the show at the end of the season.
He wrote on X: "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. 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 young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told Des Lynam. 'This is my Graceland'. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching."
