Media personality and former England International Ian Wright needs no introduction. A long established client, his sensational career in football has been followed in more recent years by an equally dazzling media career. He is now a presenter on the radio station talkSPORT as well as being the anchor on Five's Live From Studio Five with Melinda Messenger and Kate Walsh. The first episode of the show was broadcast on 14th September, 2009.
Born in Woolwich, Southeast London, Ian began his career playing for Crystal Palace. In 1991 he moved to Arsenal in a £2.5 million deal. He also played for West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic, Burnley and England. During his celebrated career, he gained 33 England caps, and became Arsenal's highest ever goal scorer.
By the end of the season he was widely acclaimed as he became the leading goal scorer for the old First Division. Renowned for being a tough player, he had a strong belief in both making and seizing opportunities.
Following the success of Friday Night's All Wright, Ian was invited to host two series of the US Prime Time show Guinness World Records. The results were even more phenomenal. Hugely popular, the show far exceeded expectations, attracting viewing figures in excess of 7 million.
With his playing career nearing an end in the late nineties he began to make the transition toward s the media, paving the way for his eventual retirement from the game.
When he made his television debut in January 1998 with his own chat show Friday Night's All Wright, the programme attracted record viewing figures of over four million. With an international line-up of guests including Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Lionel Ritchie and Westlife, the show's audience figures were unprecedented.
Following the success of Friday Night's All Wright, Ian was invited to host two series of the US Prime Time show Guinness World Records. The results were even more phenomenal. Hugely popular, the show far exceeded expectations, attracting viewing figures in excess of 7 million.
December 1999 saw Ian back on the British Networks; hosting a one-off Christmas Special entitled Hidden Talents of the Rich and Famous.
In January 2001 he signed his first BBC television and radio contract. The deal included presenting the BBC1 hit show "Friends Like These", hosting an Ian Wright Entertainment Show and presenting the Radio Five Live Saturday Show "Wright & Bright".
Ian has since presented three successful specials for Saturday Prime viewing slots. This is My Moment was screened on Granada TV, followed by Sing it Your Way for Carlton and An Audience with Lennox Lewis for LWT.
In 2003, he signed his second BBC Television contract and became the face of the BBC's Saturday Night Primetime TV. He has presented THE NATONAL LOTTERY WRIGHT TICKET and a brand new Saturday night entertainment format 'I'd Do Anything'. The show was widely regarded as the top programme showcased at the global TV fair, MIPTV - Cannes 2003.
In 2000 he was awarded an MBE for his services to sport. Ian followed these successes by presenting two more series of the National Lottery Series with the show "Wright around the World".
In 2004, Ian started a two year run as one of Team Captain's for sports panel show They Think It's All Over.
Ian Appeared on Sky One's "All Star Cup Golf Show" as one of the European Stars and has recently ridden his bike across America on the show "Wright Across America" for Men and Motors.
Ian was one of the BBC Sports regular football pundits for the FA Cup, England Internationals and major Championships including Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.
Summer 2007 saw Ian as a guest presenter on Big Brother's Big Mouth for the final week of the show. He was a big hit with the studio audience as well as the celebrity panellists and housemates alike. He returned to the Big Brother house in January's Celebrity Big Brother Hijacked as the voice and face of Big Brother for the day.
Ian has appeared in a number of TV commercials for big name brands such as Nintendo (with his son Shaun and more recently Michael Owen), ASDA, Kelloggs, and Ladbrokes.