Arsenal legend Ian Wright lifts lid on real reason he is leaving Match of the Day

Ian Wright has lifted the lid on the reason behind his decision to quit Match of the Day after 27 years.

The Arsenal legend recently revealed his intention to 'step back' from the iconic Premier League highlights show at the end of the season, saying he wanted to do other things with his Saturdays.

The 60-year-old has since offered further insight into his decision, explaining that he wants to watch more football with his wife, Nancy Hallam, because she makes him laugh.

Wright also explained he wants to watch more women’s matches and attend his grandchildren’s games.

Saturdays would normally consist of watching Premier League games during the day before preparing his analysis ahead of the evening’s show.

But from next season Wright will spend more time going to games as a fan and spending time with his family.

“I'm going to actually watch more football — I'm going to watch my granddaughter,” said Wright, who has long been a huge advocate for women's football.

“I'm going to watch a lot more women's games down at Borehamwood. I'm going to watch a lot more Arsenal games just to be there with fans.

“Go with my son and his missus — just go and be with them and be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or when we lose.

“And spend a bit more time with my missus, Nance, because she has to do so much on a weekend with the two girls who are getting to a certain age where they have to be up and down all over the place. So I just want to be a bit more present on that.

He continued: “I want to take Nance to more games as well, because she really makes me laugh when she's watching the game.”

Wright’s granddaughter is the talented Raphaella Wright-Phillips, whose father is former Man City and England star Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The Arsenal