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LET LIONS SLEEP
Three Lions legend Frank Skinner makes surprise admission about hit song, saying ‘it’s time for new anthem’ for Euro2024
'We’ve squeezed all the blood out of that stone now, and we’ve squeezed it hard'
“IT’S coming home” are the words etched into every football fan’s heart, but for Frank Skinner they feel very tired indeed.
The comic has had enough of 1996’s Three Lions anthem and hopes a new group of supporters will take up the mantle and release a fresh England footie song.
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“We’ve squeezed all the blood out of that stone now, and we’ve squeezed it hard,” Frank joked. “We’ve had a really good run.
“I feel the song is done really. We did a Christmas version for the last World Cup, and it wasn’t a sizzling Yuletide success.
“It’s time for someone else to come up with a new tune. Surely the FA have got someone else lined up already.”
The Lightning Seeds songwriter Ian Broudie composed the tune for the 1996 UEFA European Championship, which England was hosting.
READ MORE ON EURO 24
He asked Frank, 67, and comic partner David Baddiel, 59, to write the lyrics as they were presenters on TV series, Fantasy Football League.
Since the release, it has become a staple for fans and regularly gets sung at games across the globe when the Lions and Lionesses are playing.
The single, which twice topped the UK music charts, has sold over 1.6million since its release, and is certified platinum. It also charted in Europe, Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Scotland.
Into bloom
However, their Christmas version ahead of the 2022 World Cup only reached No20 in the charts, which Frank felt spelled the end of its 24-year reign as the best known footie chant.
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Looking back at the initial success, Frank said: “I thought it would go to No1 because it’s a great tune, but I didn’t think it would last as long as it has. Football anthems always did well back then.
“I certainly didn’t expect fans to sing it in the stand and things like that. Or that it would keep coming back every year like a plant coming into bloom.”
Frank Skinner: 30 years of dirt
The tune even got a royal endorsement a few years ago, which led to a brief comeback.
The comic, who is currently on tour with his 30 Years Of Dirt stand-up show, said: “It had a revival in 2018 when Prince William said, ‘It’s coming home’ on camera.
I love it, but it has had its day. It’s time for something new.
Frank Skinner
“It was sweet because my son was old enough to understand the hype. As he was six, I was still his hero and my song wasn’t just a story.
“I love it, but it has had its day. It’s time for something new.”
However, the end of the song doesn’t mean the end of Frank and Baddiel’s friendship.
Frank says: “I am very star struck by David, I’d like to make that official. We live in the same road and I love him like a brother.”
Since taking to the stage in 1987 and appearing on TV a year later, Frank has been a permanent fixture on the comedy scene — much-loved for his foul mouth performances and autobiographical skits.
He has barely been off-air since, however he revealed last month that he would be leaving his Saturday breakfast slot on Absolute Radio after 15 years at the station.
Frank was unceremoniously dumped by bosses during a phone call on his way to Dublin Airport for his tour.
When his agent rang, the comedian had been expecting to be told not to not to crack certain types of jokes. Being handed marching orders was far from his mind.
“It’s certainly a lowlight of my career.
“I didn’t see it coming. But like a good break-up; I’d rather it was over and done with instead of being dragged out and asked to stay friends. There was no fooling around about it.
“Absolute and I aren’t going to be friends. Like an ex-girlfriend, I like to pretend they can’t go on without me.
“I won’t be listening to it ever again.
“The idea that someone else will be having fun on a Saturday morning breaks my heart.”
When Frank announced his departure and told listeners it wasn’t his choice, he was flooded with messages.
Fans also took to social media to claim “Saturday morning won’t be the same” and “I’m not over-stating this: my weekend is ruined. The Frank Skinner Radio Show is the most consistently funny show on radio or TV. Absolute Radio, are you nuts?”
Ever the optimist, Frank believed that he would have offers of work after sharing his final dates.
“I thought the phone would be ringing like no tomorrow after the news I was available came out, but it’s been deathly silent,” he joked. “But that’s fine, at least I’ve got my tour to keep me busy.”
Unlike some comedians, Frank has navigated a 35-year career with minimal scandals, which he puts down to his comedy not being aimed at making people feel bad.
‘People can relate’
Well, except perhaps himself, as his material is based on his own life.
He said: “When I’m sat in my dressing room I’ve never thought, ‘Oh I really want to cross that boundary’.
“I don’t want terrible friction. I want the audience to have a mini affair with me where we really love each other and have a brilliant time.
“People walking out and being offended isn’t part of comedy for me.”
When asked how he has stayed relevant for so long, he replied: “It’s been an incredibly long time. I’ve just put one foot in front of the other. I think because my comedy is autobiographical, people can relate.
“I have zero power of invention, which is why I don’t have a Netflix show or something.
“I just can’t make stuff up, I’m a terrible liar. So as my life changes, so does my act, and that seems to have worked.
“I’ve got this winning formula, so why would I change it.”
To be fair, the theatre was a bit dark, and it turned out to be Madonna.
The biggest change Frank has noticed over the years is that when people approach him, instead of saying they are a big fan of his work, they will say their mum or dad is.
But as long as he is making someone laugh, Frank doesn’t mind. So he’ll stop for a selfie, preferably outside the bathroom of a service station where he’s normally spotted.
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As for his own star-struck moments, he met Muhammad Ali at a party and George Foreman at another event. One of his most embarrassing encounters was when he accidentally accosted an A-lister thinking it was TV presenter Dani Behr, 53.
He recalled: “I was at a film screening that had Gillian Anderson in, and I saw what I thought was Dani and I kept saying hello and being ignored.
“I couldn’t believe she didn’t say hello, as I did know her and I’d interviewed her.
“To be fair, the theatre was a bit dark, and it turned out to be Madonna.
“She could have still said hello, it was a bit unfriendly not to.”
- Frank Skinner is currently touring the UK with his new stand-up show 30 Years of Dirt. Performances at London’s Gielgud Theatre run from August 5-24. For tickets, visit .
ARE CHANTS HIT OR MISS?
THREE Lions isn’t the only tune that has been released specifically for a football tournament, but few have had such a long-lasting run.
Here are some of the other hit-or-miss tracks put together by famous faces in honour of the beautiful game.
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WE’RE ON THE BALL: In 2002, Ant and Dec attempted to score football history with their official World Cup Song We’re On The Ball. It peaked at No3 . Despite being a little toe-curling in places, it’s now looked upon as one of the better attempts.
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SHOUT (SHOUT FOR ENGLAND): In 2010 Dizzee Rascal and James Corden teamed up for this No1, which was the unofficial anthem for the World Cup in South Africa. James didn’t rap and only sang the chorus, leaving Dizzee to carry the tune.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
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VINDALOO: Fat Les managed to capture the spirit of England’s fans with this classic tune in 1998. While it was an unofficial World Cup song, it hit No2 – only pipped to the top spot by 3 Lions ’98, which was a remix of the Skinner and Baddiel original.
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(IS THIS THE WAY TO) THE WORLD CUP: In a knock-off Is This The Way To Amarillo, Tony Christie did a version for the footie finals in 2006. Just a few lyrics were changed, and it reached No8. Christie later came to regret doing the “dreadful” song.
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