Micah Richards has honoured his father, Lincoln, who passed away just before the BBC pundit went on air for England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
The former England right-back was part of the BBC One team covering the Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat.
Writing on Instagram, Richards said that shortly before going live he received the devastating news that his father, Lincoln, had died.
He added that the loss was unexpected and that Lincoln had been taken far too soon.
Richards, 38, the former Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fiorentina defender, earned 13 England caps.
He said his father was his greatest supporter and hardly missed a game throughout his life.
Richards continued that, as a child, his dad took him wherever he needed to be, and throughout his professional career he was the proudest parent and rarely away from his side.
He reflected on how watching England at World Cups means so much to people at home and brings families together across generations like little else.
He said that, as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, his dad would have wanted the show to go on this evening — and so it did.
He concluded by thinking of his siblings and wider family as they remember Lincoln — his hero and inspiration.