I was probably the first footballer ever to have a pop-star profile, and my agent was right when he said we could put my name on stair rods and sell them to people in bungalows.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I was a fan once, and I remember what it was like approaching footballers for their autographs. I used to get starstruck a lot of the time.
I had an early taste of fame. I was 20, going out with TV presenter Dani Behr and we'd have paparazzi chasing us. I'm not comfortable being photographed, though I accept it is part of the job. I had to ask myself, 'What comes first, being a celebrity or footballer?'
It was the success of 'Bend it Like Beckham' which got my name out there. 'A Mighty Heart' also helped.
I was always determined to make it as a footballer, but if things hadn't worked out, I'd have maybe followed my dad into the building industry.
I would have changed my last name if being famous were my goal.
I've never fancied that footballer lifestyle. I suppose I could live that kind of flash life. People stereotype child actors and kind of expect you to go off the rails a bit, be a bit crazy, but that's not really happened yet. I've got a big family so that helps, and they live really close to the studios so it's just so much easier.
The lifestyle I lead as a footballer means I am always in the spotlight.
I didn't become a footballer to be famous, I became a footballer to be successful. I didn't want to be famous. Now people want to be famous. Why? Why would you want people following you about all day? I couldn't think of anything worse.
I want to be known for my athletic achievements, not my celebrity.
When I was a teenager, my idol was the Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff. He's the only person I've ever asked for an autograph.
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