BBC Match of the Day pundit disappeared from TV after the Euros to become a preacher

The world of football is no stranger to drastic career changes, with many players turning down the conventional routes into punditry and coaching to pursue their true passions in retirement.

Take Wimbledon hardman-turned-actor Vinnie Jones, for example. Ballon D'or winner and former Liberian president George Weah also springs to mind, as does ex-Arsenal midfielder and now biochemical billionaire Mathieu Flamini.

But perhaps no-one has found their true calling in the same way as former Chelsea, Newcastle and QPR star Gavin Peacock, who had a successful media career after hanging up his boots, before leaving the UK to start a completely different job on the other side of the world.

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These days, the 56-year-old works as a pastor in Calgary having relocated to Canada in 2008 following the culmination of that year's European Championships.

Peacock, who also played for Bournemouth, Charlton and Gillingham during his 17-year playing career, became one of the most recognisable pundits on TV in the 2000s as he regularly appeared on Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score, and helped commentate on BBC coverage.

With the broadcaster, he helped cover major tournaments including the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008. However, when the latter came to an end, he hung up the microphone for good as he embarked on a new career in the church.

Peacock's dedication to his faith was not a huge surprise to football fans, having spoken about his relationship with God during an appearance on Football Focus and later presenting an episode of Songs of Praise. He had started attending church as a teenager and became a Christian shortly afterwards, while towards the end of his career he began preaching in his local church.

Folllowing Euro 2008, he moved to Canada to study a three-year masters course in divinity at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary, with the intention of becoming a minister.

"I have always spoken about my faith in Jesus Christ but never sensed a call to full-time ministry until six years ago," he said in a 2013 interview with QPR. "This call was affirmed by the church and I began to preach.

"It was then that I felt compelled to pursue vocational ministry. I had been working for the BBC on Match of the Day and Football Focus as well as being sent to World Cups etc. It was all going very well.

"So when I gave everything up, it did surprise a number of people. It’s been the hardest few years of my life but coming away from the UK has given me some anonymity. Here in Canada they consider me a preacher, not a footballer or pundit!"

Peacock lives with his wife of 35 years, Amanda and the couple have two children, Jake and Ava. He released his autobiography, 'A Greater Glory: From Pitch to Pulpit' in May 2021.