I’m a former Chelsea star who became a Match of the Day pundit – but I quit it all to become a pastor

FORMER Premier League star and pundit Gavin Peacock now works as a pastor.

The 56-year-old played for the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Chelsea.

Phil Shephard-Lewis - The Times

Gavin Peacock used to play for Chelsea and Newcastle[/caption]

Phil Shephard-Lewis - The Times

He is now a pastor in Canada[/caption]

Peacock hung up his boots at the end of his third spell at QPR in 2002 and landed a job as a pundit for the BBC.

He appeared on Match of the Day, Radio 5 Live, presented a Football Focus feature on religion in the game and even hosted an episode of Songs of Praise.

But after Euro 2008 punditry duties, he quit it all to follow his dream of becoming a pastor.

Peacock was a devout Christian during his playing days and was interested in leading a church after studying theology on the side of his media work.

Therefore, the ex-midfielder packed his bags and moved to Canada to undergo a masters course in divinity at Ambrose Seminary.

He now lives in Calgary and is a pastor in the area.

Peacock said in an interview with QPR: “I have always spoken about my faith in Jesus Christ but never sensed a call to full-time ministry until six years ago.

“This call was affirmed by the church and I began to preach. It was then that I felt compelled to pursue vocational ministry.

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“I had been working for the BBC on Match of the Day and Football Focus as well as being sent to World Cups.

“It was all going very well. So when I gave everything up, it did surprise a number of people.

“It’s been the hardest few years of my life – but coming away from the UK has given me some anonymity.

“Here in Canada, they consider me a preacher, not a footballer or pundit.”

Peacock played 105 times for Newcastle, scoring 16 goals in the 1991/92 season and winning their Player of the Year award.

He was then signed by Chelsea for £1.5m and was the Blues’ top scorer in the 1993/94 campaign as they made the FA Cup final, losing to Manchester United.

Gavin Peacock was Chelsea’s top scorer in the 1993/94 seasonRichard Pelham