Peter Crouch helps us to ‘Save Our Summer’

Peter Crouch Save Our Summer
Peter Crouch, Maya Jama and Alex HornePeter Crouch, Maya Jama and Alex Horne
Peter Crouch, Maya Jama and Alex Horne

(BBC One, 9.15pm)

Think about Saturday evening TV and what springs to mind?

Lavish shows, no doubt, so-called ‘shiny-floor’ programmes in which members of the public or celebrities are put to the test in talent competitions such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Voice UK and The X Factor. Or perhaps comedy and variety series are your particular favourite.

Whichever you prefer, they all have one thing in common – a larger than life presenter, somebody in the Bruce Forsyth or Leslie Crowther mould, if you’re old enough to remember their 1970s and 1980s heyday. Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr or Michael McIntyre (who, incidentally, is back on the box with a new series this Saturday night) could be their 21st century equivalent.

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One person you probably wouldn’t add to that list, however, is Peter Crouch.

The ex-England international was a gifted footballer, scoring 22 times for his country in 42 appearances – a record anybody would be proud of. He retired from the game last year after playing just six times for his final club, Burnley, bringing to a close a 21-year career.

Always hugely noticeable on the pitch thanks to his gangly 6ft 7in frame, there was nevertheless nothing about him to suggest a successful stint as a presenter awaited. But, unlike some ex-pros who struggle to find something to do with their lives after hanging up their boots, Crouch threw himself into the media.

The first run of the award-winning Peter Crouch Podcast aired while he was still playing, but has gained in popularity since; the latest run was designed to raise a smile during the coronavirus pandemic and listeners will tell you it’s been successful in doing so.

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Crouch’s wit and personality has shone throughout, which is perhaps why the Beeb has decided it’s time for him to spread his wings a little and follow in the footsteps of those aforementioned TV luminaries. Plus he was meant to be helping cover Euro 2020, so like many of us, has a big gap in his schedule. There’s little in the way of a shiny floor here, but there promises to be plenty of entertainment, introduced by Crouch and his cohorts – Radio 1’s Maya James and comedian Alex Horne, who will be accompanied, at a safe distance, of course, by his band, The Horne Section.

Each edition will see a wealth of talent display their skills for our amusement. We’re promised live music performances, comedy sketches, stand-up and something intriguingly described as ‘replacement sport action’; the mind boggles.

The idea behind the series is that it will help fill a void left by all the festivals, gigs and other events that have been cancelled during the past few months. Some might say it’s a lot more comfortable watching Crouch and co too – standing in muddy fields and using portaloos is not necessary. Unless you’re really throwing yourself into the swing of things, of course.

Speaking of which, there’s even a chance for the audience at home to get involved during a national televisual party that could help ease the pain of lockdown.