It’s been 19 years since Footballers’ Wives wrapped up its last season, leaving behind a legacy of scandal, drama, and unforgettable moments.
The hit series, which first aired in 2002, centered around the lives of the players and wives of the fictional Premier League football club Earls Park FC.
Now, almost two decades later, some of the original cast members returned for a nostalgic reunion on This Morning, giving fans a chance to relive the glory days of the drama.
The Cast Reunites on This Morning
The stars of the show were back in the spotlight, albeit with very different looks from their iconic characters.
On today’s episode of This Morning, hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley welcomed Laila Rouass (Amber Gates), Susie Amy (Chardonnay Lane-Pascoe), Gary Lucy (Kyle Pascoe), and Alison Newman (Hazel Bailey) for a fun and lighthearted chat.
As the cameras rolled, it was clear that time had changed them, and Ben jokingly commented that they hadn’t “changed, not remotely,” prompting a laugh from the cast.
A Look at the Changing Styles
Laila Rouass, who played the memorable Amber Gates, still looked stunning, rocking a dark suit and her signature long, dark hair.
Fans will remember Amber’s intense storylines, like the infamous scene where she crashes a party with a shotgun, intent on revenge.
On the other hand, Alison Newman’s character, Hazel Bailey, underwent a transformation from a fiery redhead with a pixie cut to a sophisticated, shoulder-length grey bob.
Hazel’s exit from the show in season four came after she became the sports agent for her tennis-playing girlfriend, a character now revealed to be played by none other than Hannah Waddingham, famous for her role in Ted Lasso.
Chardonnay’s Change of Pace
Susie Amy, who portrayed the glamorous but often chaotic Chardonnay Lane-Pascoe, was also on hand for the reunion.
Gone was the chaotic, fiery personality of Chardonnay, who once had her breast implants caught on fire at her hen do.
Instead, Susie appeared polished in a smart white outfit, far removed from the over-the-top wedding dress Chardonnay wore, a look that became synonymous with the show.
Gary Lucy, who played Chardonnay’s footballer husband Kyle, also looked quite different with his long hair and scruffy appearance, a far cry from his clean-shaven footballer days.
Footballers’ Wives’ Revival and Reboot Possibilities
With the show now available for streaming on platforms like BritBox and ITVX, Footballers’ Wives is experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
When Ben asked the cast about the possibility of a reboot, Gary Lucy joked that it could “go down a storm.”
However, he humorously pointed out that he’d likely no longer be cast as a footballer, joking that his “days of playing a footballer are behind” him.
While fans would love to see a return to the scandalous world of Footballers’ Wives, it seems the show’s potential reboot might still be a long way off.
A Throwback and the This Morning Crew
In a moment of true nostalgia, the interview segment also featured a fun throwback to a familiar face from the show.
Ken, the photographer for the footballers and their wives in Footballers’ Wives, made a special cameo in the interview.
The cast and crew laughed as they watched a clip of Ken in his former role, bringing even more fond memories of the iconic series.
The Return of Ben and Cat
In another twist, the reunion episode of This Morning also marked the return of Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley after a brief break.
While the hosts shared some light banter about their time off, not everyone was thrilled about their return.
Some viewers took to social media to express their disappointment, suggesting that a different co-host would have been more exciting.
What’s Next for Footballers’ Wives?
As the reunion wrapped up, the future of Footballers’ Wives seemed to hang in the balance.
Whether it’s a potential reboot or simply a rediscovery of the show’s original episodes, one thing is for sure: the drama is far from over.
With the show available to stream on ITVX, fans old and new can relive the scandalous world of Earls Park FC at their leisure.