He became the latest celebrity to be unmasked on Saturday’s episode of The Masked Singer 2021.
And Glenn Hoddle admitted he was ‘nervous’ about taking to the stage as the Grandfather Clock in front of judges Rita Ora, Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall, after being chosen to reveal his identity following a sing-off with Viking.
Following his first performance, the former England manager, 63, told ITV: ‘I was so nervous and the heat was incredible.’
The BT Sport pundit discussed the inspiration behind his appearance as he explained: ‘I wanted to share the news with my children and grandchildren as I knew they’d love it. I’ve had to bite my tongue on a few occasions.
‘I thought I was going to be OK as I have performed live before but this was a totally different experience and well out my comfort zone.
‘I had some great songs lined up if I was able to continue but overall I loved the experience and just happy to have taken part.’
The former Chelsea midfielder also touched on his designing his costume as he added: ‘I was fully involved. I had a couple of options but just felt this was perfect, especially when I saw the costume close up. The attention to detail was fantastic.
‘It was a little restrictive, so I wasn’t able to move as freely as I would have liked for a song or two but it was amazing.’
None of the judging panel guessed his identity correctly, despite all of them suggesting the names of different footballers before the unmasking.
Mo chose Lee Dixon as his guess, while Rita suggested Ian Wright and Davina picked David Seaman, with Jonathan guessing Peter Shilton as he played during the 1986 World Cup.
Of how the judges didn’t figure out his identity, Glenn said afterwards: ‘They were so close I thought any time now they’re going to nail it, but you didn’t clock me!’
Jonathan was particularly shocked as he had thrown Glenn’s name into the ring early on, after contemplating Grandfather Clock’s musical past and saying Glenn had previously released the single Diamond Lights with Chris Waddle.
He said in dismay: ‘I’m kicking myself and I just remembered you had a hit single, Hoddle and Waddle!’
Attempting to decipher the clues they were given on the show, Jonathan asked what his link to Bulgaria was and Glenn said that was where he made his debut on the football pitch.
Glenn took part in the England’s Euro 80 match against Bulgaria in November 1979, and scored a 2-0 win at the match.
During the show, his two lies and a truth saw him claim he never worked in a bank but was good at saving, the Prime Minister had compared their jobs in the past, and that people always give him stuff he doesn’t like.
The second statement was the truth, as he explained to the judges that he met with Tony Blair prior to the 1998 World Cup when he was the team’s manager, and where England reached the second round where they lost to Argentina on penalties.
Glenn said of meeting Blair: ‘He said something, before the World Cup he said I had a bigger job than he did!’
Gushing about being able to take part in the show, Glenn said of his costume: ‘It was so endearing, when I first saw it I fell in love with.’
He then said the show had been a ‘surreal’ and ‘wonderful’ experience, as he told the judges: ‘I’ve always loved singing and when the opportunity came up… it’s easy in the kitchen but when you come here it’s a bit [different], but great fun!’
During the sing-off, Glenn chose to perform Barry Manilow’s Can’t Smile Without You which was an anthem for fans of his long-time club, Tottenham Hotspur.
Last week, it was revealed that Martine McCutcheon was the Swan character with Jonathan correctly guessing her identity before the unmasking.
Talking about her time on the show, Martine said: ‘I just thought it would be so lovely just to come out and have fun!’
The second show saw Spice Girl Mel B revealed to be the Seahorse character.
After being unveiled, she admitted: ‘I thought I disguised myself pretty well with my voice and accent and trying not to be like me. I’m very shocked that you guessed me.’
While Sophie Ellis-Bextor was unmasked as the Alien on the premiere episode on Boxing Day.
Murder On The Dancefloor singer Sophie admitted she was lucky she didn’t take a tumble in her costume.
After the show, she said: ‘I was on a platform and couldn’t see too well. I thought I might fall off.’
On having an advantage as a singer, she continued: ‘I felt like a gymnast who had a cool routine with jumps and twists, who then left after their first comedy somersault. But it’s cool.’