Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has revealed he locked Ian Wright in a "hotel ice room" during the England icon's previous hiatus from Match of the Day.
It was announced at the weekend that Wright would be stepping down as a pundit on Match of the Day 27 years after making his first appearance on the iconic show.
He made his Match of the Day debut while still playing back in 1997, telling former host Des Lynam that the show was his "Graceland".
But after becoming a regular pundit from 2002, he stepped away six years later and accused the BBC of treating him like a "comedy jester".
Richard Keys locked Ian Wright in an ice room
PA/BEINSPORT
During that seven-year hiatus from the BBC, Wright spent time working for rival station ITV on international fixtures.
Keys has opened up on the time he invited Wright over to Qatar during the Arsenal icon's absence from the BBC.
And the former Sky Sports presenter explained how he and Andy Gray took a unique approach to getting Wright back to where they thought he belonged.
Keys wrote on his blog: "It was back in 2012/13ish when he first walked away from MotD complaining that no one on the show took him seriously- that by the time Alan Hansen had finished with his analysis he had nowhere to go - nor anything to add.
"He got frustrated because he thought the hosts viewed him simply as the joker.
"He wanted to be more than that. He wanted to be taken seriously.
"How do I know? Because he told me and Andy when we got him to Qatar shortly after he’d pulled the plug first time round.
"Eventually he was great company for the few days that he was with us, but he was on the floor when he arrived.
"We spent hours putting him back together and convincing him that he had something to offer tv. Mind you - he didn’t like it when we trapped him in the hotel ice room.
Ian Wright previously quit Match of the Day for seven years
PA
"I’ve never heard a man make so much noise as Wrighty did trying to break out.
"I’m glad he gave it another go - and he owes ITV for giving him that chance.
"He also deserves the many kind words that have been said about him following the announcement of his latest decision."
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Keys also made a subtle dig at Wright for rejecting an interview with one of his colleagues last year.
He added: "I’m also glad that Andy and I may have played a small part in putting him back together, which is why I was particularly disappointed when Wrighty too quickly and rudely dismissed my colleague Aaron Summers’ polite request for an interview when he was in Qatar for the WC a year ago.
"Maybe there’s still time Wrighty? Anyway - enjoy whatever comes next."
