'We want everyone to feel together and still feel a part of England's World Cup'

As soon as it was revealed Jill Scott would be retiring from football in the summer of 2022, one of the first things which came to mind was ‘Ooo, she would be perfect for our daily World Cup show next summer!’

As one of the biggest and most loved personalities in English football, there was no doubt Jill would have a future in the media – if she wanted one. 

And when it was announced the legendary midfielder would be entering the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here jungle late last year, those who knew her knew she would win.

So with 161 caps for her country, the household name and strong relationships with the England players and staff, who better to lead the Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE coverage this summer?

But whilst many of us had suggested she would be perfect as a co-host, alongside presenter Kyle Walker, following her retirement in August 2022, Jill revealed her England team-mates were suggesting she would be great for the daily show while she was still playing.

“In the EUROs, when Lionesses Live was going on, I remember the girls saying they knew I was going to retire and were saying, ‘Jill, you should try to get on the show next year’. But I didn't actually think it was going to happen!” she said.

“It is a real honour to be presenting Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE and to have the chance to chat with the girls behind the scenes. 

“I've done things like my podcast and stuff like that before, so I'm hoping Kyle and I can make it relaxed for the players and give fans a real insight into the girls and what we would usually talk about when sitting down for a cup of coffee in camp.”

She continued: “As soon as I got the opportunity to do the show, I jumped at it really because of knowing the girls, knowing their personalities and how much fun we had doing it last year. 

“When I was on the show last year as a guest, it was like a bit of chill time in camp. You got to play lots of games, and it was always quite funny as well, so hopefully we can carry on providing that humour and with Kyle being with us as the expert presenter, hopefully we can make a great show at the same time.”

With Jill jumping straight from the pitch to the jungle, she hasn’t had too much time to miss football thus far.

But after a playing career which saw her attend ten major tournaments since her first World Cup in 2007, Jill admitted she would have suffered from a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out) had it not been for Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE, stating she would have attended as a fan if she wasn’t working during the tournament.

She said: “Lionesses: Down Under connected by EE will definitely help with the transition [of not being at the World Cup] because we're still going to be away on camp and we're still going to have a little bit of pressure each day in delivering the show, which will be a bit like game day.

“Hopefully there'll be a couple of recovery days by the beach as well!” she joked.

Whilst Jill has already shown she is a natural on the TV screen, the former Everton and Manchester City star admits she has lots to learn when it comes to presenting a daily show.

Thankfully for Jill, she will be joined by the likeable TV presenter Kyle Walker, who you will probably recognise from his work with Sky Sports, the BBC or Manchester City.

Kyle, who has previously been a nominee for Ones to Watch at the SJA British Sports Journalism Award, is well-versed when it comes to covering women’s football, having worked the 2019 World Cup in France and travelled across the country for Sky Sports last summer during the Lionesses’ EURO win.

The EURO triumph was followed by Kyle covering the men’s World Cup in Qatar and working for his beloved Manchester City during their historic treble-winning season.

“Football has been incredible this last year and doing this show is just the cherry on top,” Kyle said.

“This is something that I'll remember forever and it is such a unique opportunity – I can't wait.”

Last summer, whilst Kyle was connecting with supporters on Sky Sports’ open-top bus, Jill and her England team-mates were able to meet supporters in their droves during the home tournament, whether that be at the stadium, their Lensbury training base or everywhere in-between.

The challenge to unite the country behind the England team for this summer’s Women’s World Cup is going to be far greater, with matches taking place on the other side of the world and there being a nine-hour time difference.

However, both Kyle and Jill spoke passionately about trying to ensure supporters feel connected with the team out in Australia.

Kyle said: “The success of the Lionesses and what we've seen here in England in recent years has been so special. So to now have the chance to be with the team out in Australia and hopefully be with them as they continue that success is amazing.

“We hope to bridge that gap with everyone back home. Even though we might be thousands of miles away in Australia, we want everyone to feel together and still feel a part of it.

“We will be able to bring that inside access and the behind-the-scenes look that football fans love. We will talk to the players every day to explore all the different topics and all the different feelings within camp and bring that straight to everyone watching back home.”

That is where having Jill as a co-host will be so crucial.

Kyle continued: “Jill’s insight will be amazing because she understands what it's like to be away, she understands what it's like to be in camp and to have that pressure, and of course, Jill was a part of the success the team had.

“I went out to France for the World Cup in 2019 and last year I travelled throughout the UK during the EUROs so I have that perspective. But as a player, being there, knowing the manager, knowing the other players, knowing the set-up and knowing how it actually feels, it is so important and Jill understands it all. 

“Jill has experienced it all and that's great insight and perspective to have because I'm sure the players will feel comfortable with her because she’s been there and she’s done it. 

“I can’t wait because I'm sure the players will all want to talk to Jill and I'll be there, tagging along, asking the questions and having some fun at the same time.”

Jill admitted some of the players knew she would be joining them in Australia before this week’s announcement about the show, as by her own admission, she can’t keep a secret.

But had she told Sarina Wiegman that the England head coach hadn’t got rid of Jill just yet?

“I think Sarina knows that I'm going,” she said with a smile, during the interview at St. George’s Park.

“I just bumped into her and had a little chat. That is what I always say about Sarina: she has that professional side, but she's also always willing to have a chat and ask about your family – it’s always nice to see her and whenever I see her, I always have a smile on my face. 

“I think the group of us that were together for the EURO, it's really hard to explain but when you go through a life-changing experience like that together, you form special bonds with those people. It is like a different feeling really. 

“I was so honoured to be a part of the EURO squad last year and now it is a new squad which are on a new adventure.”

The next step on that adventure starts on Wednesday night when they fly out for Australia.

Before then, there will be a one-off departure show at 5.45pm BST where Kyle will be joined by fellow presenter Abbie McCarthy at the team’s hotel, which you can watch above.

The daily broadcasts from Australia will then start on Wednesday 19 July and air every day at 12.30pm BST for the duration of England’s tournament, except on matchdays, via our official England YouTube channel, EnglandFootball.com and social media platforms.

With exclusive access to the England team, special guests across the tournament and a number of competitions and giveaways for fans back home, Jill is confident they will be able to keep the supporters connected with their team.

She said: “With us being on the other side of the world for this tournament, it is going to be harder for the fans to connect with the team compared to last year when they could connect by going to the games, by waiting outside the hotel or maybe getting autographs and pictures. 

“So I’m hoping that Kyle and I can be that link to give fans the best experience of the tournament possible. If we come away from the tournament and feel like we've done that then it'll be a success for us as a show.

“Plus Lionesses Live actually won an award last year [at the Broadcast Sport Awards] so hopefully, Lionesses: Down Under can win two!”