FOOTBALLERS’ WIVES: COMEBACK KIDS, ITV’S WILDEST DRAMA SET FOR A 2026 REVIVAL

Fans of the outrageous noughties drama Footballers’ Wives could soon be popping the champagne once again, as plans are underway for a major reboot of the hit ITV series, 20 years after it last aired.

The glossy, scandal-soaked show, which ran from 2002 to 2006, followed the glamorous and chaotic lives of football stars and their equally fiery partners. Now, according to actor Gary Lucy, who played fan-favourite footballer Kyle Pascoe, a comeback is officially in the works, with some familiar faces already involved.

Speaking to reporters, Lucy revealed:

“We’re trying to bring it back but it might be in a slightly different format. I can’t say too much about it. But I won’t be a footballer in it, I’m too old for that! But in some capacity, yes, I’ll be in it, definitely.”

Lucy, now 42, says the team behind the reboot are determined to capture the spirit of the original series, which became a pop culture sensation thanks to its mix of sex, scandal, designer fashion, and drama.

The actor continued:

“We had a great time filming it, it was a lot of fun. Footballers used to come up and say they watched the show, but not so much now. I mean, it was a long time ago!”

While details are still being kept under wraps, sources say the new version could air in 2026, marking exactly two decades since the original ended. Discussions are reportedly taking place about whether to return the show to ITV or take it to a streaming platform, where the storylines could be even bolder.

Earlier this year, Lucy teased the idea of a reboot on social media, suggesting that there’s “still so much love” for the series.

Some of the original cast appeared on This Morning back in May - Credit: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

“I think it would go down a storm to be honest,” he said. “It would be something refreshing. People loved it. It was just escapism. You’d just watch it and forget about all the nonsense that’s going on in real life, you know?”

And escapism was certainly what Footballers’ Wives delivered. The series was a lavish cocktail of money, fame, and betrayal, focusing on the lives of fictional Premier League club Earls Park FC and its wealthy WAGs.

From Tanya Turner’s (Zöe Lucker) wicked scheming and murderous cover-ups, to Chardonnay’s (Susie Amy) tragic storyline and Jackie Pascoe’s (Gillian Taylforth) scandalous love affairs, Footballers’ Wives became must-see television that pushed boundaries and caused a stir with its over-the-top plot twists.

The show’s wild success inspired a spin-off, Footballers’ Wives: Extra Time, and a legion of loyal fans who still celebrate it as one of the most iconic British dramas of the 2000s.

While ITV has yet to confirm the revival officially, fans are already buzzing online with hopes that familiar faces like Zöe Lucker, Susie Amy, and Alison Newman could return alongside a new generation of footballers and partners ready to cause chaos.

Lucy hinted that if it does return, the show would likely focus on the next generation of players and their families, with returning characters now taking on more mature roles, perhaps as agents, club owners, or parents to the new stars of the pitch.

If the reboot goes ahead, one thing’s for certain, expect more glamour, drama, and mischief than ever before. After all, Footballers’ Wives has always known how to deliver a scandal in style.