Former professional soccer player Peter Crouch says his kids are more interested in joining a panel of masked dancers than his extensive sports career.
The 41-year-old former striker is filling in for Mo Gilligan in the second series of ITV’s surreal deduction game.
He joins returning celebrity detectives, former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse, chat show host Jonathan Ross and TV host Davina McCall.
Comedian and host Joel Dommett will once again host the show.
Ahead of the first episode, Crouch said: It’s completely different from anything I’ve done before.
“My kids love the show. All I want is a masked dancer.
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Davina McCall returns to panel (Scott Garfitt/PA)
“They absolutely love it. They came in and saw one of the shows, they loved it, and they’ve been talking about it ever since.”
Crouch said he was doing something after finishing his football career “because it looks like a lot of fun.”
He added: I love doing The Masked Dancer, it’s a lot of fun.
“Nobody takes themselves too seriously and the dancers are really into it. My kids are so proud of me.”
Crouch said she had a “really good dynamic” with the other celebrity panelists.
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“I’m new, but I’ve changed clubs a lot in football, so I’m just used to it. Everyone is very friendly,” he said.
“Both Jonathan and Davina have been in this world for a long time and are absolute legends in what they do. Oti is so lovely and she is a proper dance critic.
“And Joel is great at what he does. He always puts a smile on everyone’s face. The group was very friendly and fun.”
Dommett said that since Crouch joined the panel, he has “been serious about it.”
He added: “He’s a sportsman, so he wants to win. That’s what made him a great sportsman and also a good detective on the show.”
Ross credited Crouch with his famous robot dance move, which debuted in 2006 in celebration of a goal.
McCall said working with athletes made her very popular among her friends.
“He has given me great admiration along with all the male and female soccer fans in my life.
Masked Dancer Series 2 begins on Saturday, September 3rd at 6:30pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
