Ian Wright set for acting role after explaining decision to leave Match of the Day

Ian Wright set for acting role after explaining decision to leave Match of the Day

WATCH NOW: Ian Wright's first appearance on Match of the Day

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 19/12/2023

- 12:00

The Arsenal icon recently announced his departure from the BBC show

Ian Wright is set for an acting role after recently confirming his departure from Match of the Day.

The BBC presenter has announced he'll be quitting the popular show, having appeared on it regularly over the past 27 years.


The 60-year-old has confirmed he wants to spend more time with his wife, Nancy.

And Wright also wants to watch more football matches as a fan, including fixtures for Arsenal Ladies and Borehamwood.

Ian Wright Match of the Day

Ian Wright recently confirmed his departure from Match of the Day after working on the show for 27 years

GETTY

Now, however, he's confirmed he's set to appear in an upcoming film.

Wright will feature in Netflix's The Kitchen, which is due to be streamed on January 19.

The title is directed by British actor Daniel Kaluuya, who has appeared in movies such as Get Out, Black Panther, Queen and Slim and Nope in recent years.

Kibwe Tavares is a director, too.

Wright said on X: "The Kitchen | 19 Jan | Netflix.

"Directed by: Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares."

The film is a science fiction drama set in a dystopian London future.

Top Boy actor Kane Robinson, nicknamed Kano, is among those who will be starring in the picture.

While Wright will be appearing in a film for the first time, the football icon isn't entirely new to acting.

He has appeared in adverts for the likes of M&S, Nike, Ladbrokes and Nescafe over the years.

The Sun say Kaluuya is a massive fan of Arsenal and Wright was 'delighted' to help out.

"Daniel [Kaluuya] is a massive Gooner, and a huge Ian Wright fan," a source is quoted as saying.

"He’s written this incredible thriller, and wanted Ian to appear.

"So he got in touch, and Ian was delighted — and leapt at the chance.

"He hasn’t had any acting lessons but after years appearing on Match of the Day — and having recently shot an M&S gig — he’s actually a natural in front of the camera. He has about four scenes."

Wright, meanwhile, says his departure from Match of the Day is due to a desire to spend more time with his nearest and dearest.

The former England striker said: "I'm going to actually watch more football - I'm going to watch my granddaughter.

"I'm going to watch a lot more women's games down at Borehamwood.

"I'm going to watch a lot more Arsenal games just to be there just to be there with fans.

"Go with my son and his missus - just go and be with them and be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or when we lose.

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"And spend a bit more time with my missus, Nance, because she has to do so much on a weekend with the two girls who are getting to a certain age where they have to be up and down all over the place.

"So I just want to be a bit more present on that."

Discussing grandson D'Margio Wright-Phillips, he continued: "I want to see if I can watch my grandson play as well - he needs a bit more support now."

"It's kind of fallen off a little bit for him, he's at Stoke.

"So hopefully I can watch him some more, spend a bit more time."

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