'I'm a Match of the Day regular now – here's the bizarre way I prepare for BBC show'

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Joe Hart spent his football career diving all over the place in goal. Now the ex- Manchester City and England shot-stopper spends a large chunk of his day sitting on the floor.

In the summer of 2024, Hart announced his retirement from football. He has since gone on to become a popular television pundit and personality , appearing on a variety of podcasts and carrying out many interesting interviews.

Significantly, he has become a regular on Match of the Day , where his career as a world class goalkeeper has given him a unique perspective on the game. Like many other Premier League winners, routines and superstitions were a big part of his game.

However, there are many other habits and activities he carries out to inform his punditry. He opened up about some of his habits during a recent appearance on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

Host and England cricket icon Michael Vaughan, with a look of bewilderment, asked Hart about a rumour he heard through the grapevine of many television studios. The Ashes winner questioned: "Is that right that on Match of the Day on a Saturday or Sunday, you sit on the floor all day?”

The 38-year-old replied: "Yeah, it took me a while to do it because you have to kind of act like you are normal for a bit and then everyone gets your personality.

"I did it in the summer when I started straight away in the Euros doing the radio, we were in like compact rooms and I just plonked on the floor because it is where I am at my comfiest and where I can relax.”

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Perhaps wondering if any injuries throughout his career were behind this strange routine, cricket commentator and personality David Lloyd asked: "Nothing to do with you having a bad back or anything?”

The former West Ham goalkeeper then replied: "A little bit. But just from young if I was at home and we had like sofas in the front room and watching TV, I would always go on the floor. I still do it to this day.”

Hart has previously spoken about his history of back issues in the past. He recently said to the BBC : "I’ve got a long thoracic [vertebrae] and to look after that I have to sit big and strong.

"I like being tall, I like being proud, I like feeling strong so that’s how I see it. That’s just what I do. I understand in the modern generation you can get slumped.

"But as soon as I feel slumped I don’t like it, I feel disgusting. I like to stand big and tall, sit big and tall, it makes me feel confident.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.