A League of Their Own: Lioness legend to replace Freddie Flintoff as team captain

Virgin Radio

4 Jul 2023, 10:59

A League of The Own will be joined by a footballing legend when it returns to Sky Max later this year. 

Queen of the Jungle and Lioness star Jill Scott is the brand new team captain for series 18 of sports panel show, replacing cricketing icon Freddie Flintoff, who announced he was leaving after 12 years in February 2022. 

In the brand-new series Jill will go up against rival captain Jamie Redknapp, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan.

To celebrate the new hire, Jill was honoured with her own Angel of the North-style bronze statue by the Mayor of Gateshead. 

Measuring the height of two FA goal posts and weighing in at 500kg, the lifelike statue is currently at the former home of Gateshead FC, a club and community close to Jill’s heart after starting her footballing journey with Gateshead College Footballing Academy in 2003. Those wanting to see the statue can visit from 4th July until 9th July, before it makes its way to the opposing team captain Jamie’s back garden. 

Speaking at the statue unveiling, Jill said: “It’s not everyday you get to unveil a giant statue of yourself. It’s massive and incredibly lifelike. I could have done with those few extra feet back in my playing days! But the crowning glory for me? 

“It’s got to be seeing Rom and Jamie’s faces when this lands on their doorstep in London - the banter has already started and I know I will get a lot of stick when I kick off my tenure as a team captain.”

ALOTO host Romesh added: “It’s brilliant to be able to welcome Jill Scott, a legend of the game and national treasure, to the A League of Their Own family as a new team captain. And with her own statue almost as bronze as Jamie Redknapp.”

Jamie continued: “What can I say – Jill Scott, a proper champion and England hero. I can’t wait to go head to head with her each week on A League of Their Own – she might have won a European Cup with the Lionesses, but does she have what it takes to win against the Red team?!”  

Jill played for England from 2006 until 2022, following the team’s historic win at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. She retired as the second-most capped international footballer. 

Since her departure from football, the Sunderland native has since moved onto telly, and was crowned the winner of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in November 2022. 

For a first look at Jill Scott ahead of her debut, watch  The Lionesses: A League of Their Own Special available from 12 July on Sky Max and NOW

The new season of A League Of Their Own will launch exclusively on Sky Max and NOW later this year