Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has shared a hilarious anecdote about his first encounter with Hollywood actor Will Ferrell, who was stark naked at the time.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast alongside Sam Allardyce and Natalie Pike, the ex-West Brom and Birmingham ace revealed what it was like to rub shoulders with some of the world's biggest celebrities in the dressing room. Phillips participated in Soccer Aid in 2012, where he had an unforgettable interaction with major Hollywood star Will Ferrell.
The comedy legend, known for his roles in films such as Anchorman, Elf and Old School, played nearly 75 minutes in the renowned charity match. However, Ferrell wasn't the only A-lister to lace up his boots for the event that year.
Other Hollywood heavyweights like Ed Norton, Woody Harrelson, and Austin Powers' Mike Myers also took part in the star-studded charity game. The match boasted a line-up of British celebs including Robbie Williams and Paddy McGuinness, while football legends Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham and Hernan Crespo were among the headline names.
But it wasn't any of the football stars that left Phillips gobsmacked, reports the Daily Star. The former Villa player recounts that his first interaction with one of the biggest names in film was one he'll never forget, amidst a dressing room filled with superstars.
The moment shocked Phillips, who shared: "To cut a long story short, I've went to go into the shower and I've literally opened the door and there's Will Ferrell standing there naked. "He stood there and I didn't know where to look and he's like 'you alright? How are you doing? ' and it's Will Ferrell standing there with nothing on."
As if things couldn't get any more surreal, he then explained how he ran into several notable celebrities backstage. He added: "To top it, I walk past him (Ferrell) and there's Ed Norton trying to get in the ice bath and he's like 'how do you guys get in here? 'We tell him that's he's just got to jump in so as he gets in, I turn around and Marvin Humes from JLS is standing in the shower, I thought it can't get any better than this surely?"
Co-presenter of the pod, and previous Bolton manager, Allardyce gave his take on Ferrell's pre-game influence but wasn't quite as impressed with the actor's footy skills. "He was funny off camera," big Sam opined. "He couldn't kick a football, and neither could Woody Harrelson, but it was great having those lads come over. You can't seem to get those celebrities over for Soccer Aid any longer."
Passionate about soccer, Ferrell isn't just a mainstay in Hollywood. The Wedding Crashers star has been frequently spotted at UK football games, among them those of Wrexham, alongside fellow actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, even showing up in local pubs.
He's not unknown on Sky Sports and often graces other footie events. Yet now, according to recent whispers, 56 year old Ferrell is ready to switch his casual interest up a gear by becoming an investor in Leeds United.
Already a co-owner of Los Angeles FC over in the MLS, he reportedly plans to join forces with the 49ers with an investment that could help wake the "sleeping giant" of Leeds and steer them back into the Premiership.
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