Wayne Rooney will put his football knowledge to the test against a different guest each week in the BBC’s new visualised podcast, Can You Beat Wayne Rooney?
The series, hosted by comedian Alex Brooker, will be available to watch on BBC Sport’s Football YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer, and to listen to on BBC Sounds and other major podcast platforms.
Each episode features Rooney, former England captain and Manchester United player, competing with guests from sport, entertainment and popular culture, with every question prompting stories from his football career.
The format will give listeners and viewers a behind-the-scenes look at dressing rooms, title races, international tournaments and memorable moments from Rooney’s time in the game.
Guests arrive confident they can outscore Rooney, but the show also highlights his competitive nature as he tries to defend his reputation each week.
Wayne said: “Anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, whether it’s on a football pitch, playing paddle or on a golf course and even rowing on the Hudson River.
“When Erling called me out to honour my challenge after Norway beat Brazil, there was no way I was backing out. That’s probably why I know I’m going to enjoy this series so much.
“We’ve evolved the podcast to lean into that competitive side of my personality, because I know that’s something the people love to see.
“Every guest will turn up thinking they can beat me and, honestly, I don’t like losing. A single question can take you straight back to a dressing room, a match or a moment you haven’t thought about in years.
“We’ve got some great guests lined up, plenty of laughs and some fantastic football conversations.”
Alex Brooker added: “Wayne is an absolute winner, he hates losing. I can’t wait to see every guest arrive trying to take him down and Wayne determined not to let it happen!
“Add in the incredible stories that come from the questions and you’ve got something football fans are going to love. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The podcast is produced in Manchester by Persephonica, and launches this autumn across BBC platforms and all major podcast services.
