Peter Crouch voted funniest man in British sport (From Bournemouth Echo)

Peter Crouch voted funniest man in British sport

10:32am Friday 12th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

ENGLAND footballer Peter Crouch has been named the funniest man in British sport, topping a poll of the best one liners and comedy football moments.

The 6ft 7in striker is no stranger to coming out on top and won the plaudit for his cheeky response to the question “What would you be if you weren’t a footballer?” (see his response below!) The Spurs target man clinched the title with 24 per cent of a 2,000-strong poll voting for his debut performance of the famous robot dance, while celebrating a goal against Hungary in a pre-World Cup friendly.

The wittiest commentators and interview lines, comical sporting gaffes and largest personalities were also uncovered in the study of 2,000 people commissioned to mark the launch of Sky1 HD’s new comedy panel show, A League of their Own, hosted by Gavin and Stacey star James Corden.

Respondents were asked a series of questions about past and present sporting individuals who have managed to entertain over the years and their thoughts on humour in sport today.

Corden said of the show: “I’ve come to the conclusion that as I spend most of my time sitting around with my mates talking about sport, I may as well get paid for it. It’s going to be fun to watch.”

Celebrities are prone to comedy gaffes and the sporting industry is no different. John Motson takes the lead with 19 per cent of the votes when he stated: “For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip.”

Delia Smith (left) comes in a close second with her “let’s be havin’ you!” half-time rallying call at Norwich City’s Carrow Road.

With 31 per cent of the vote, Eddie the Eagle’s ski jumping antics in 1988 pipped Usain Bolt to win the funniest Olympic moment of all time ahead of the moment when the Olympic torch went out and had to be re-lit by an official with his cigarette lighter at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Famous for his comedy comments in the heat of the moment, Murray Walker, who lives near Fordingbridge, was named wittiest sports commentator ever, ahead of John Motson with his signature headphones and sheepskin coat.

The research also shows that despite these rays of comedy genius, 60 per cent of respondents believe that sports people have become less humorous and two-thirds think they have less personality than they used to.

The top five Sporting One Liners were:

1. Asked what he would be if he wasn’t a footballer, Peter Crouch replied “a virgin.”

2. “I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars – the rest I just squandered.” George Best

3. Referring to Wags: “I don’t know where they will stay, it’s not my concern. I’m hoping there will be a virus.” Fabio Capello

4. Chris Eubank made his first flamboyant leap over the top rope into the ring. Reg Gutteridge informed ITV viewers: “The ego has landed.”

5. “I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and got into bed before the room was dark.” Muhammad Ali