Former Match of the Day pundit Gavin Peacock has spoken out on his new life in religion after leaving television to embark on a vastly different career path.
The ex-Chelsea star had a successful 17-year stint on the pitch, playing for not only the Blues but also Newcastle United in the Premier League before transitioning into broadcasting post-retirement. He quickly became one of the most familiar faces on TV in the 2000s, making regular appearances on Football Focus, Final Score, and Match of the Day.
Peacock also provided audio commentary on BBC's coverage of major tournaments, including the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008. However, following the conclusion of the Euros, he chose to retire his microphone permanently and pursue an entirely different career thousands of miles away.
The former attacking midfielder has been a devout Christian since he was 18 years old, attending church regularly during his early teenage years. Despite being taunted by rivals who labelled him a 'Bible basher' on the pitch, he has always spoken openly about his faith and even hosted an episode of Songs of Praise for the BBC.
Towards the twilight of his career, Peacock, who also played forQPR, Bournemouth, Charlton, and Gillingham, began preaching at his local church. So after 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 aim of becoming a minister.
In a subsequent interview, Peacock admitted that the transition had been "the hardest few years" of his life so far. Despite this, he relished being anonymous in Canada when it came to his footballing exploits, as people knew him only as a preacher rather than a sportsman or pundit.
Chelsea forward Gavin Peacock.
The former footballer turned TV pundit made another major career change in the mid-2000s (Image: Clive Brunskill/Allsport/Getty Images)
"I became a Christian at 18 when I was at QPR," he shared with MailOnline (via Wales Online), reflecting on his journey into faith. "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. 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. My biggest issue was no longer being adored by the crowd but to be in the right relationship with God."
Lee Dixon, Adrian Chiles and Gavin Peacock on the set of BBC television series 'Match of the Day 2'.
The former Match of the Day pundit has taken a different path in life (Image: Shutterstock)
Peacock explained how that helped his career, ridding him of any fears or anxieties on the pitch as his happiness didn't depend on football. After being ordained in 2012, Peacock served as associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary, where he resided with his wife of over 35 years, Amanda, and their two children, Jake and Ava.
However, he returned to England with Amanda earlier this year, accepting a one-year appointment as pastor of Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent. His two kids are now adults and have chosen to remain in Canada, with Jake becoming a sports star in his own right as he excels in the martial art of Muay Thai.
"Calgary is a cowboy town. They call it the Texas of Canada," Peacock added, describing his adaptation to life in North America. "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.
Gavin Peacock.
Peacock moved to Canada to start a totally new career (Image: Getty)
"The winters are brutally cold. Snow 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."
The former pundit now receives invitations to conferences worldwide and has hosted faith and football evenings across the country. While his days as a pundit seem distant, Peacock believes his television experience has been beneficial in his new career.
"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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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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