Entertainment
Alex Scott: I’ve always rejected being called a female pundit
Alex Scott was announced as Football Focus earlier this year (Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Alex Scott has spoken about working in the world of football presenting, saying she has always rejected the label of ‘female pundit’.
The former England player was announced as the new host of Football Focus earlier this year, and stressed the importance of young women having positive role models in the industry.
Alex said that she was ‘often spoken about as “the female pundit”’ when she first began broadcasting after retiring from the game.
She told Good Housekeeping, ‘I would always respond by saying: “No, I’m just a pundit.”’
‘The ability for young girls to see strong, positive role models is so key. If they can see it, they can aspire to be it.’
Alex added: ‘Sport is sport, and I think that’s important, not just when it comes to gender but also diversity and inclusivity more broadly, for instance with the Paralympics.’
Alex will also host the BBC’s Olympics coverage this year (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
The 36-year-old, who is also set to present the BBC’s coverage of the Olympics, also spoke about missing sport during the lockdown.
‘The magic of sport, and of the Olympics, is that it unites people, so it was tough to have that taken away,’ she said.
‘I was fortunate to still be working across a number of TV shows during the lockdowns, but I remember discussing on The One Show early on that it felt like everyone was on a journey of constantly trying to search for an end point, which was possibly the hardest thing.
More: Alex Scott
‘That’s why it will be so brilliant to have a summer of sport, to get that feelgood factor back.’
Alex played 140 times for England and played for Arsenal, Birmingham City and Boston Breakers during the course of her career.
Meanwhile, Alex was recently in better spirits as she returned to social media after breaking down in tears over Christian Eriksen’s collapse during Euro 2020.
Danish footballer Eriksen, 29, was resuscitated on the pitch after collapsing during his country’s match against Finland earlier this month.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Alex Scott frustrated by Reece James performance during England draw against Scotland
