Jack Grealish has a few famous friends these days – but he’s shared who the biggest star in his phone is and who made him starstruck
Jack Grealish has revealed he is secret pals with a huge music legend.
The 29-year-old Manchester City footballer let drop that the most famous person in his phonebook is none other than Sir Elton John. The England player says the Tiny Dancer hitmaker, who is an honorary life president of his childhood club Watford FC, regularly rings him for ‘catch ups’.
In a quickfire interview with TNT Sports, Jack opened up on his unlikely friendship with the singer. He said: “The most famous person in my phone is probably Elton John. He rings me sometimes to catch up and see how I am. So yeah, I’d say Elton John.”
Asked if had ever been starstruck by anyone, Jack revealed that yes he had – but it wasn’t by Sir Elton. Though the 77-year-old is Jack’s most famous pal, there is another singer he was ‘nervous’ to meet. And that person was in fact Rihanna, who he was pictured with earlier this year.
In an interview a few years earlier, Jack admitted he wanted to meet the Love on the Brain singer “because she’s pretty and I like her music”. A few months ago that wish came true when they crossed paths during his team’s pre-season tour of America in the summer. He shared: “Yeah in the summer actually, I went and met Rihanna on the pre-season tour after we played against AC Milan. I got quite nervous, I didn’t really know what to say or how to approach her.’
But in a hilarious turn of events, Jack turned out to be the bigger celebrity in the room that day when one football-obsessed youngster asked Rihanna if she would take their picture. Not realising who Riri was, she saw the funny side and happily obliged. As the boy handed Rihanna his phone, she is heard saying: “Alright, I’ll get it for you, get in there.”
Before he was interrupted, Jack made sure to get a snap with his celebrity ‘crush’. Rihanna looked effortlessly cool in a Loewe black and white jersey-style T-shirt and houndstooth shorts, which she accessorised with gold jewellery. While a flushed looking Jack was still in his Manchester City training top.
Fans were quick to remind Jack of his old comments as he shared his snap with Rihanna on Instagram. “All I think of is the interview where he says he wants to meet Rihanna because she’s pretty and now look,” one wrote, with another adding: “I just know you was blushing when Rih came thru the door.”
Away from his football career, Jack – who recently welcomed his first child, a baby girl called Mila with girlfriend Sasha Attwood – seems keen to step into the celebrity spotlight some more. The midfielder revealed he would love to do a reality show like I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in the future.
And hosts Ant and Dec certainly seem keen to get him on too. In a video shared on their Twitter account, Dec asked Ant: “What do you think about Jack Grealish for next year?” Ant replied: “I think Jack Grealish will be very, very good.” Dec then pulled out his phone with a video of Grealish and said: “I asked Jack Grealish whether he would do the show. I said people have been suggesting him. And this is what he said…”
Jack then said: “Hey guys, Jack here. I’ve heard that a few of you guys want to see me in the jungle. I can’t lie, it is something that I’d absolutely love to do. It’s a show that I’ve watched, you know, for years since I was little. And, yeah, a show that I love.
“I don’t know how I’d get on in there. I don’t think I’d be the best, to be honest, but yeah I’d give it a go. Obviously not this year. I don’t think Pep (Guardiola) would be too happy if I ended up in there this year. But, you know, never say never could happen one day.” Ant could barely believe his ears and said: “Oh my god. Jack Grealish! We love you Jack,” before him and Dec then broke into a rendition of: “We love you Grealish, we do.”
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