Big Names For Big Games

ITV has signed some big names for its World Cup commentary and presenting teams with unsuccessful England manager candidates Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley and Virgin Radio’s Christian O’Connell leading the pack.

O’Connell will present a humorous spin-off show called World Cuppa, which will be shown on ITV4, while Allardyce, Curbishley and Manchester City’s Stuart Pearce will form part of ITV’s commentating team.

ITV Sport will have a new onscreen look for the World Cup. Daryl Goodrich whose credits include the award-winning Pride film for London’s 2012 Olympic bid, will direct promos for its tournament coverage, and rock four-piece Kasabian have recorded a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ for the broadcaster’s World Cup theme song.

The broadcaster will take its World Cup coverage to various locations around Germany, while the BBC is expected to base its operation in Berlin. As well as ITV Sport presenters Steve Rider, Jim Rosenthal and Gabby Logan, the broadcaster’s Germany 2006 team will feature regular football commentators Clive Tyldesley, Peter Drury and Jon Champion, and pundits Ally McCoist, Andy Townsend, Robbie Earle, Terry Venables and David Pleat. ITV has also hired Ruud Gullit, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Jay-Jay Okocha, Gareth Southgate and Jim Beglin for the World Cup.

Punters will be able to access ITV Sport’s coverage via the ITV World Cup website and through mobile phones. Coverage runs from June 9 to July 9.

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com