Tributes have been paid to the footballing legend on BBC's The One Show.
Angellica Bell and JB Gill
The One Show presenters paid tribute (Image: BBC)
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The One Show has paid tribute to a sporting legend.
Following the death of Kevin Keegan aged 75 in July, the BBC programme honoured the footballing icon.
Ahead of two of his former teams, Newcastle United and Liverpool, going head to head on Sunday, the programme shared a glimpse into the tributes that will be paid on the day.
"This Sunday, thousands of football fans will come together at St James' Park to pay tribute to the late football legend, Kevin Keegan, as two of his former clubs go head to head in the Premier League," JB began.
Angellica continued: "Kevin touched so many people's lives including artist Adebanji Alade, who has been to find out how fans are preparing to put rivalries aside to honour his life and legacy."
The One Show then aired a pre-recorded clip of Adebanji sharing how Kevin Keegan’s book “changed my life”, reports Chronicle Live.
Kevin Keegan standing with arms crossed on pitch
Kevin Keegan died in July at the age of 75(Image: Getty)
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“Inside that book, I practiced all the skills I could, but what really got me, were the pictures in that book. It sparked my passion for sketching, and that has been with me ever since,” he said.
The tribute went on: “Kevin Keegan did it all for club and country. He won league titles and European cups with Liverpool, played back-to-back Ballon d’Ors at Hamburg, then as both player and manager, he took Newcastle to the brink of the Premier League title. When news of his death broke, hundreds of fans headed to St James’ Park to play their respects.”
Adebanji went on to speak to volunteers from Newcastle United fan group Wor Flags, who are preparing a stadium-wide display to honor Keegan. One of the volunteers told him: “We just wanted to pay tribute to someone who many of us believe to be the most important man in the history of Newcastle United.”
Another volunteer revealed she had been in tears “a few times” as they used shirts given by fans with personal messages to Keegan as part of the display.
Kevin Keegan
Tributes have been paid to the footballing legend
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Grantchester star Robson Green also paid tribute to Keegan in the clip, sharing: “He reminded us all that football wasn’t just something you watched, it was something you belonged to. And Liverpool fans and players, it’s the same with Newcastle. We didn’t just like and respect Kevin Keegan, we loved him, and we’ll never forget him.”
Back in the studio, Morning Live star Dr Xand shared his own tribute to Keegan, as JB asked him: “You’re a massive football fan, but he also meant a lot to you, didn’t he?”
Dr Xand replied: “I grew up, I remember thinking when I’m a grown up, I will have a dimple in my chin and a full head of hair like that… it hasn’t happened! But what an absolute legend.”
Hosts JB and Angellica also read out tributes sent in from fans, with one person saying: “He was the Geordie Messiah, a Newcastle legend on and off the pitch, always loved and never forgotten.” JB read another: “Kevin Keegan was my hero. I saw him make his [Newcastle United] debut in 1982 against QPR.”