Gary Neville began his Have I Got News For You hosting stint with quips about his own football career and that of his brother Phil.
Former England defender Neville was the guest host of the BBC panel show, with comedian Maisie Adam and broadcaster Richard Madeley joining regular captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Ahead of the broadcast, there was plenty of speculation about the kind of stick that might come his way.
Neville has been outspoken politically, taking aim at those in power and appearing at the Labour Party Conference. He admitted to being out of his comfort zone, and urged fans to tune in to watch him get caught out by the panelists.
As he introduced Madeley, Neville said: "On Paul's team tonight is a TV presenter who in a recent interview said, 'it's important not to care about being called a w*****'. I wish I'd known that when I took my first throw-in at Anfield."
Neville spent his entire career with United, taking on bitter rivals Liverpool on many an occasion. His brother Phil also spent time with the Red Devils before moving into management with the England women's team, and bore the brunt of another barb from Gary.
"On Ian's team tonight is a comedian and football fan who said she cried when England Lionesses won the Euros," the elder Neville brother said. "They've done pretty well when since they ditched their previous manager, Phil Neville."
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"For the first time, probably, I’d say in maybe 10 years since I did my first Monday night football I actually feel quite nervous and a little bit…" Neville said in an Instagram post ahead of the appearance. "I used the word stretch, not stressed, a little bit stretched and I’m just videoing this in an uncomfortable moment because we sometimes put ourselves in these moments in life, we’ve never done it before.
"I always used to say it was like diving in the deep end as a kid when you haven’t got your arm bands on for the first time. You don’t know what’s going to happen, that little bit of trepidation."
Gary Neville's appearance on Have I Got News For You came during a week in which he stepped down from his part-time role as CEO of Salford City. His former Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt has replaced him in a role, taking it on a full-time basis.
“I have enjoyed my eight years and can’t believe how much we have achieved in that time, and how proud I am of the hard work everyone at the club has put in to make a dream we had whilst on a train, turn into a reality," he said in a statement.
