Читать книгу Best Day of My Life: True stories to inspire, move and entertain - Told by a cross-section of the UK's celebrities and courageous everyday people - Giles Vickers Jones - Страница 11

TV Presenter

Presenting Football Focus alongside a certain Mr Blair … or Sven … or what about the two months I spent in Australia and the West Indies covering the cricket … or even the day I got married? They were all contenders. But I’m sure anyone would agree the following day was pretty special.

It was during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The BBC put us up in a pretty lavish hotel in the centre of Berlin. It really was every football fan’s dream. I was practically living with the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen and Martin O’Neill for a whole month!

A couple of days into our stay, there were rumours of a living legend staying at our hotel. I refused to believe them until I saw him for myself. I didn’t have to wait too long. Early that afternoon, I was leaving my room to go to the gym as the gentleman in the room directly opposite was leaving his. I could only see his back as he walked up the corridor. I wonder if that’s … nah, can’t be, I thought. Then I remembered the rumours. Is it really him? Any more dithering, I thought, and he’d be in the lift … although his pace wasn’t quite what it used to be … but then again it was 40 years since he last kicked a ball in anger.

‘Pele?’ I enquired hopefully.

The man turned around. There he was, the Brazilian icon.

He smiled. ‘Yes.’ After casting his eyes on me, he simply said, ‘Aah, London Dorchester.’

I couldn’t believe it. He remembered our meeting a few weeks ago when I interviewed him about his autobiography. Instead of the expected handshake, he gave me one of his famous Pele hugs. I was pretty staggered. Not only was the man living opposite me but he also greeted me like an old friend. We spoke for about 15 minutes before going our own ways.

A couple of hours later, my wife Anushka arrived from the UK to sample the atmosphere of the tournament and update me on our wedding plans (which, incidentally, was a week after the Final). Understandably, she was a little sceptical when I told her about my rather illustrious neighbour – until we met again in the corridor. After a brief chat, Pele obliged to have a photo taken with us. In fact, he was keen to have his son in the photo too. It made our day. But it was to get even better.

The rest of the afternoon I spent preparing and presenting a highlights programme from the nearby studios. Usually, the evenings would end with a group of presenters and pundits digesting the day’s results with a drink or two in the hotel bar. When I walked in, there was a quiet buzz. Pele was sitting by himself as if waiting for someone. In one corner, among others, were Messrs Lineker and Shearer. As I arrived, the pair were debating whether or not to welcome the footballing great and to ask him to join them for a drink (thinking about it now, what a lethal strike force that would’ve been if the three of them were still playing). I left them to it and sat with some of the production team. After a few minutes, Pele got up. The whole room seemed to take note of his every move. He casually looked around and, after seeing me, he walked across, put his hand on my shoulder and departed with a ‘Goodnight my friend’, blissfully unaware of the two former England captains standing a few yards away.

Alan looked at me with raised eyebrows. ‘Look at you … Mr Big Time, eh?’ he joked.

I laughed it off, looking a little embarrassed. Inside, I was pretty chuffed.