One Direction star Niall Horan sat down with Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt and comedic superfan Paddy McGuinness for his first podcast appearance in two years yesterday, offering fans an insight into his relationship with football and fame on The Good, The Bad and The Football.
Horan joined the chart-topping football podcast as its first non-professional football guest, delivering an unmissable episode sharing honest reflections on his life in the spotlight, his love of football and his take on this weekend’s games.
A longtime friend of host Paddy McGuinness, the conversation kicked off by recalling how their friendship was forged at Soccer Aid. Comparing the event to a ‘stag do’ and swapping stories of training alongside world-class footballers, Niall said: “It’s so strange training with World Cup winners.”
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Joking “I watch more football than I listen to music,” Horan spoke fondly about his time in One Direction: “I’ve been so lucky.” He also shared the challenges of performing solo, missing the team environment of the band, and managing anxiety ahead of live performances.
The singer also highlighted the camaraderie and support system behind One Direction’s success: “We never knew how big it was, it’s only looking back.”
Horan shared anecdotes of his time in One Direction, revealing his own five-month stint at Chelsea, where he recovered from a knee injury with the support of José Mourinho. The injury had troubled him throughout One Direction’s meteoric rise, dislocating nine times, but intensive rehab at the club, secured after a late-night message to Mourinho’s daughter Matilde, became a “great time.”
A lifelong Derby County fan, Niall reminisced about supporting the club alongside his dad and spotting fellow fan, Hollywood actor Jack O’Connell, at matches. Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt reflected on their own experience of super stardom, drawing parallels with their own experiences playing with football legends like David Beckham.
The episode offers fans a rare glimpse into the often private star’s love of both music and football. The Good, The Bad and The Football with Niall Horan is available on YouTube, Spotify and other major podcast platforms now.
