My Week - Robbie Savage

My week starts on Saturday really, rather than a Monday. I wake up to take my little boy to football and then go off at 3pm to watch games and do my show on Radio 5 Live. On Sunday I do commentary on Radio 5 Live or Match of the Day 2. I try to take the opportunity to give my kids a lift to school or drive my little boy to play football.

Not much happens on a Monday or Tuesday, so that’s when I’m free to spend time with them. Then I commentate on Wednesday, and on Thursday I write my newspaper articles. On Friday I go and see mum and dad, then Saturday comes and it all starts all over again.

Every Saturday night, I present the biggest British radio phone-in show, on 5 Live. I think I got the job because I am outspoken and say it like it is. Whenever you’re given a chance like that, you just need go for it and be a bit different. That’s what I did and now I work with iconic people like Danny Baker.

I am a normal dad and my family is important to me. I don’t care what my kids grow up to be, as long as they’re healthy. If they want to be footballers, they can do, but I won’t force them. My boy is at Manchester United and he’s just eight. There’s a long way for him to go but he enjoys it. I would say my son is aware of my success as a footballer and I think he’s proud of me. During the week I spend a lot of time ferrying the kids about. Every other dad in the country will know about that. It makes me realise how much my dad did for me.

I’ve been working on a bloopers DVD recently, which has been great because I have been on those DVDs for years, getting hit in the face by the referee, hit by balls or slipping over, so it’s nice to get my own back. After matches I commentate on, players come up to me and have a go, but we talk it over and it’s fine. At least you are making an impact. I believe I am fair in what I say. I don’t just say things for the sake of it or to get a confrontation. I say things because I believe in them.

When I get a free moment I take my wife out and try to enjoy life. My philosophy is to live every day like it was my last, so that’s what I do. We try to do normal things, like walk the dog, but my life isn’t normal, especially not after Strictly. Doing that show has put me in a different market with different people. It’s presented me just as a normal humble guy, which is what I am. I don’t take my wife out dancing often though – she’s even worse than me.

I have to spend time a lot of time preparing to commentate, because you’ve got to do your homework. Being a footballer has helped because I’ve played against some of the other players before, which makes it easier to know who they are and their strengths and weaknesses. None of it’s hard work, though, because I love watching football. You can’t beat it. l

Robbie Savage: Football Howlers is out now on DVD (Revolver Entertainment, £9.99)
Interview by Jasper Hamill