Gary Neville announces stunning career move, but there may be one slight problem

Gary Neville was well-known as a one-club man during his playing career but the 49-year-old has just announced a stunning switch.

Neville made 400 appearances for Manchester United during his 19-year career at Old Trafford before becoming a pundit with Sky Sports. But in a shock move, Neville has joined up with chart-topping indie band The Reytons ahead of their UK and Ireland tour next year.

Neville has appeared in a video alongside the four-piece, who hail from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, where he jokingly auditioned to replace bassist Lee Holland on the road. Gary is asked by the band to showcase his dance moves and his dietary preferences on stage before being tested on his risk taking and speed in terms of how quick he can drink a pint. But there may be one big stumbling block for Neville to actually appear with the band, who are set to play the Limelight in Belfast on 28th February next year.

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"You've literally ticked every box there pal,” lead singer Jonny Yerrell tells Gary, “but I think the only question is now, you know, what're you actually like on bass?" Neville replies: "I've never played bass in my life."

Also making an appearance in the video is Bruce Jones, best known for his role on Coronation Street, as it amps up buzz for The Reytons' tour. With their recent album 'Ballad of a Bystander' hitting the number two spot in the charts, expectations are high.

The UK and Ireland tour, dubbed the Right Back At It tour, will kick off at London's O2 Academy Brixton in February 2025, before taking in stops in the likes of Bournemouth, Birmingham, Blackpool and Newcastle. Following two Irish dates in Dublin and Belfast, the boys will perform at Manchester's Aviva Studios - which has a capacity of 5,000 people - on March 8 next year.

Despite the spirited banter, it's not anticipated that Gary will genuinely join the band on stage during their actual tour dates. Tickets for the tour will be available from Friday (September 20) at 10am. However, fans who have pre-ordered the band's forthcoming live album can participate in a pre-sale opportunity on Wednesday (September 18). Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Here are the full UK and Ireland tour dates:.

Friday, February 7, 2025: O2 Academy Brixton, London.

Saturday, February 8, 2025: O2 Academy, Bournemouth.

Friday, February 14, 2025: O2 Academy, Blackpool

Saturday, February 15, 2025: .O2 Academy, Birmingham.

Saturday, February 22, 2025: O2 City Hall, Newcastle.

Friday, February 28, 2025: Limelight, Belfast.

Saturday, March 1, 2025: Academy, Dublin.

Saturday, March 8, 2025: Aviva Studios, Manchester.

Saturday, July 19, 2025: SWG3 Galvanisers Yard, Glasgow.

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