Match of the Day star speaks out on new life after vanishing from BBC TV career

Former Match of the Day analyst Gavin Peacock has opened up on his drastic career change after leaving the of television. The former footballer had a successful 17-year stint on the pitch, playing for clubs such as , and before transitioning into broadcasting post-retirement.

He quickly became a familiar face on TV in the 2000s, regularly appearing on Focus, Final Score, and Match of the Day. Peacock also appeared on the BBC's coverage of major tournaments like the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008. However, when the latter concluded, he chose to retire his microphone permanently and pursue an entirely different career thousands of miles away.

The ex-attacking midfielder has been a devout Christian since he was 18 years old, having started attending church in his early teens. Despite being taunted by rivals who dubbed him a 'Bible basher' on the pitch, he has always openly expressed pride in his faith, even hosting an episode of Songs of Praise for the .

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Towards the twilight of his career, Peacock, who also had spells at , Charlton and Gillingham, began delivering sermons at his local church. However, following Euro 2008, he made a significant move and relocated to Canada with his family to undertake a three-year Masters course in divinity in Calgary, with the goal to become a minister.

In a subsequent interview, Peacock confessed that the shift had been "the hardest few years" of his life, reports . However, he relished being recognised for his preaching rather than his footballing prowess in Canada.

"I became a Christian at 18 when I was at QPR," , reflecting on his spiritual journey. "I was living the dream as a footballer with some money in my pocket and a bit of adulation from fans. But, because football was my God, I questioned why I felt good if I played well and low if I'd done badly.

"We weren't practising Christians at home but one night my Mum said she was going to the local church and I went to keep her company. Afterwards, I went to a youth meeting. I pulled up in my Ford XR3i and had the mullet to match.

"I walked in thinking I was part of the in-crowd, but these other young people had something I didn't," he added. "When they spoke about Jesus Christ and prayed, there was a joy and reality I didn't have. I was saved then and everything fell into place."

Peacock explained how he no longer felt the pressures of performing on the pitch because his main concern was his relationship with God. As a result, any fears or anxieties with regards to football fell away.

Since being ordained in 2012, he has served as associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary. He lived there with his wife of over 35 years, Amanda, and their two children, Jake and Ava.

However, earlier this year, he and Amanda made the move back to England, with Peacock taking on a one-year role as pastor of Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent. Their children are now adults and have chosen to remain in Canada, with Jake making a name for himself in the world of Muay Thai.

Describing his experience in Canada, Peacock said: "Calgary is a cowboy town. They call it the Texas of Canada. When I first met the senior pastor, he walked in with a Stetson and an equally big belt and boots. It's also an oil town but one where I can see the Rocky Mountains from my window.

"The winters are brutally cold. starts at the end of November and stays until March. Our first home was in a little mountain town called Canmore.

"I'm a boy from suburbia who went from Match of the Day to driving into Calgary to study Hebrew and Greek, driving miles without seeing another car."

Nowadays, Peacock speaks at conferences worldwide about his religion, and has hosted faith and football evenings across the country. While his days as a pundit may seem like a distant memory for some, the ex-TV star believes his career in broadcasting has been helpful in his new vocation.

"My producer on MOTD2, Mark Demuth, taught me to think about my first line and a line to come out of VT," he added. "It's a good way to construct a sermon, a good introduction and conclusion so people are left with the main point."

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