Ex-Match of the Day pundit looks unrecognisable after major career change as a pastor

The Chelsea and Newcastle star has changed his life since retiring from the game

Gavin Peacock has undergone a remarkable transformation, both physically and spiritually, after leaving football to embrace Christianity.

The former Match of the Day pundit enjoyed a lengthy career across multiple divisions of English football, including the Premier League. He spent three seasons with Newcastle United during the early 1990s, notching up 59 goal contributions across 117 matches.

During his career, he also spent time at Chelsea, AFC Bournemouth, Gillingham and Queens Park Rangers. Peacock retired in 2002 and briefly worked as a pundit, notably for BBC Sport and MOTD.

The former attacking midfielder helped Newcastle secure promotion to the Premier League during the 1992/93 campaign, finding the net 12 times. He also reached the FA Cup final with Chelsea the following year, though they suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Manchester United.

These days, an older and significantly mullet-less Peacock has devoted his time to religious faith after departing England in the late 2000s to settle in Canada and pursue ministry.

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The 57-year-old completed a three-year Master’s degree in divinity in Calgary, having previously revealed he had “been saved” by Christianity as a teenager.

In an interview with MailOnline earlier this year, Peacock said: “I was living the dream as a footballer with some money in my pocket and a bit of adulation from fans. But, because football was my God, I questioned why I felt good if I played well and low if I’d done badly.

“We weren’t practising Christians at home but one night my Mum said she was going to the local church and I went to keep her company. Afterwards, I went to a youth meeting. I pulled up in my Ford XR3i and had the mullet to match.

“I walked in thinking I was part of the in-crowd, but these other young people had something I didn’t. When they spoke about Jesus Christ and prayed, there was a joy and reality I didn’t have. I was saved then and everything fell into place.”

Following his ordination in 2012, Peacock worked as an associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary. This year, he returned to England with his wife Amanda, leaving behind his two grown-up children – Jake and Ava – in Canada.

Peacock now leads Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent and believes his broadcasting background helps him deliver powerful sermons.

“My producer on MOTD2, Mark Demuth, taught me to think about my first line and a line to come out of VT,” he added. “It’s a good way to construct a sermon, a good introduction and conclusion so people are left with the main point.”

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