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Who is Paddy McGuinness and what is the Take Me Out host’s role in Soccer Aid 2024?
Plus what the star has said about money 'drying up'
Plus what the star has said about money 'drying up'
OVER the years Paddy McGuinness has become one of the nation’s favourite entertainers.
With a career spanning over two decades the TV star is a much-loved comedian.
Patrick Joseph McGuinness, also known as Paddy McGuinness, was born on August 14, 1973, in Farnworth, Lancashire.
He is well known face within the world of television and comedy.
After leaving school at 16, and getting a job on a building site, Paddy made his TV debut in 1995 as a contestant on a series of dating shows, including Davina McCall's God's Gift.
However, his big break came in 2001 alongside Peter Kay in the smash sitcom Phoenix Night - which ran for two series until 2002.
The show, which was focused around members of a working men's club in Manchester, saw Paddy star as Patrick O'Shea.
Having risen to prominence with his performances alongside fellow funnyman Peter Kay.
Paddy then went on to present and act in a variety of popular TV programmes and tour the country as a comedian.
Despite his career success, Paddy previously confessed that he never turns down work in television due to a "constant fear" that work might dry up.
He said: “I do think being working class, it’s in you. You just have that thing of ... that constant fear of, if it stops what do I do next?
“You constantly have that in your mind.
"I’ve always been quite driven in that sense.
“I’ve always been looking at the next thing, even when I’m on a show that’s really successful.
“I’m constantly looking at the next thing or trying to create something myself.”
In January 2024, The Sun revealed> that Paddy is worth an estimated £7million after making a name for himself on a string of top-rated TV shows.
Aside from TV work, he has also raked it in from ad deals and work as an author - but previously told how he was going on a stand-up tour as the “money had run out”.
Appearing on This Morning to promote the gig, Paddy was asked how the tour came about.
He replied: "Erm, well the money's run out now so it took about eight years to spend it all and I'm like, 'I've got to build it back up'.
"So weirdly, writing a tour does take a lot of your time.
"When we had the break from Top Gear, I'd been planning it for a long time, I went, 'There's a window there'."
Paddy was married to former Miss Liverpool, Christine McGuinness.
The pair tied the knot in 2011 at Thornton Manor in Wirral after three years together.
However, in 2022, the couple, who <share three children together, announced that they had split.
The pair welcomed their twins Leo and Penelope in 2013.
This was followed by the birth of their daughter Felicity, in 2016.
In 2023, the former couple were nominated for a >National Television Award for their powerful BBC documentary> detailing their struggles raising three children with autism.
In 2000, Paddy starred in old friend Peter Kay’s show That Peter Kay Thing before joining Kay’s new comedy series.
The award-winning Phoenix Nights saw the star as doorman Paddy O’Shea, working alongside fellow bouncer Max Bygraves, one of many characters played by Peter.
This led to the pair of them teaming up as a duo for the sitcom >Max And Paddy’s Road To Nowhere in 2004.
Paddy is also well known for being the tongue-in-cheek host of the dating show Take Me Out, which was filmed in Kent. During the series, he became famed for his catchphrases - including "No Likey, No Lighty". Sadly the show came to an end in 2019.
Paddy starred in six episodes of Coronation Street in 2015.
He played Dougie Ryan, a holidaymaker on a campsite that a group of Corrie residents went to visit.
Across the week, he proved to be a stick in the mud who was obsessed with life in the great outdoors - considering himself somewhat of a camping Bear Grylls.
His episodes were generally well-received as comic relief for the week, but he has never returned to the soap.
Paddy joined forces with Keith Lemon to recreate a string of famed movies for their series, The Keith And Paddy Picture Show.
This included hilarious takes on Star Wars, Dirty Dancing, >Ghostbusters, and Jaws.
The show was typically followed by the original film on ITV.
In 2017, Paddy hosted a 60-minute special celebrating the biggest names in pop music - bringing together the world’s top tribute artists for a glamorous night of performing and competing.
Even Better Than The Real Thing brought together performances from cover bands and acts who are quite simply the very best in the game.
In 2018, it was revealed Paddy, along with Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris, would be the new hosts of Top Gear in its new format.
However, in 2023, the series was permanently halted, and it emerged that cricket legend Freddie wouldn’t be returning to host the show.
The decision came not long after the former cricketer was involved in a horror smash whilst filming the show.
The British version of I Can See Your Voice - fronted by Paddy - aired in 2021 on BBC One.
Presented with a group of six "secret singers" identified only by their occupation, judges must attempt to eliminate bad singers from the group without ever hearing them sing. In order to help them achieve this, the contestants drop clues for the celebrity panel over the course of six rounds.
Paddy also hosted the popular BBC quiz show, A Question Of Sport from 2021 until 2023.
He took over from Sue Barker after she was axed from the show.
Speaking in 2023 about the pressure of taking over from Sue, Paddy told The Monday Mile podcast: "For me personally, the pressure I felt, I felt it more for A Question of Sport than Top Gear."
In 2023, Paddy's first Channel 4 gameshow kicked off.
Titled Tempting Fortune, the show sees 12 strangers give up their luxuries to take on the toughest of terrains.
However, if they give in, then the £300,000 joint cash prize will start to dwindle.
Temptations include a taxi to the next stop, a massage and hot shower, or a five-star bed for the night.
Paddy took part in The celebrity edition of Bake Off, alongside Joe Thomas and Ellie Taylor in 2023.
Stand Up To Cancer is a charity that focuses on raising awareness for the disease.
Channel 4 has aired telethons and fundraisers for the charity since 2012.
In addition to this, Paddy has also appeared on shows such as Don’t Look Down and Comic Relief’s annual Red Nose Day charity fundraiser.
Paddy is back on the Soccer Aid squad for the 2024 match as celebrity goalkeeper.
Speaking about Soccer Aid, he told ITV: "When I first started, I used to play 90 minutes.
"Then the next time I did 70 minutes, then 45. And I've gradually done less and less and less.
"So, when you're just over 49, it's like 'stick him in the net because he's knackered'.
"So that's what I'm doing. I'm going in the nets."
For the 2024 Soccer Aid footie tournament he is on the England team.
The squad is being managed by none other than Harry Redknapp.
He is joined by co-managers Frank Lampard and Robbie Williams.
Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
The match is being held at Chelsea's home, Stamford Bridge.
You can watch all the action live at 6pm on ITV, ITVX and STV.
Fans can't wait for soccer aid to kick off on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The FULL line-up of players has been released and it is a mix of celebrities and former pro footballers.
England:
World XI: