Man City icon Joe Hart reveals BBC Match of the Day habit - 'It took me a while to do it'

Joe Hart is a regular on Match of the Day and he has a very peculiar habit when preparing for the BBC show, as he revealed in an interview.

Joe Hart, the former Manchester City and England goalkeeper, now spends a significant portion of his day seated on the floor, which is a stark contrast to his footballing days when he was known for his acrobatic saves.

In the summer of 2024, Hart hung up his gloves and announced his retirement from professional football. Since then, he has transitioned into a well-liked television pundit and personality, featuring on numerous podcasts and conducting intriguing interviews.

Notably, the 38-year-old has become a regular face on Match of the Day, where his experience as a top-flight goalkeeper provides a unique insight into the game. Like many other Premier League champions, routines and superstitions played a significant role in Hart's career.

However, there are several other habits and activities that he engages in to enhance his punditry skills. Hart revealed some of these during a recent appearance on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

The host, England cricket legend Michael Vaughan, asked the former Man City shot-stopper about a rumour he had heard circulating around various television studios. The Ashes winner queried: "Is that right that on Match of the Day on a Saturday or Sunday, you sit on the floor all day?"

To which Hart replied: "Yeah, it took me a while to do it because you have to kind of act like you are normal for a bit and then everyone gets your personality.

"I did it in the summer when I started straight away in the Euros doing the radio, we were in like compact rooms and I just plonked on the floor because it is where I am at my comfiest and where I can relax."

Intrigued by this unusual habit, cricket commentator David Lloyd asked: "Nothing to do with you having a bad back or anything?"

Hart replied: "A little bit. But just from young if I was at home and we had like sofas in the front room and watching TV, I would always go on the floor. I still do it to this day."

The former England international has previously opened up about his history of back problems. He recently told the BBC: "I've got a long thoracic [vertebrae] and to look after that I have to sit big and strong.

"I like being tall, I like being proud, I like feeling strong so that's how I see it. That's just what I do. I understand in the modern generation you can get slumped.

"But as soon as I feel slumped I don't like it, I feel disgusting. I like to stand big and tall, sit big and tall, it makes me feel confident."