PHOENIX Nights star Paddy McGuinness has proved he has sporting as well as comedy talent after qualifying for a celebrity football squad.

The comedian put in an impressive performance during trials on Sky One's The Match to win a place in the squad which will face a Legends XI as part of the interactive programme.

Viewers will be able to vote whether the Bolton comedian makes it into the starting line up, which will kick off in a charity match on Monday, October 10.

Before the eagerly anticipated match, Paddy will join his showbiz team mates when they enter Newcastle United's state-of-the-art Football Academy to live and train under the watchful eye of former England coach Graham Taylor.

Forty three football-mad celebrities attended trials at Bisham Abbey but just 18 made it into the squad, including singer Dane Bowers, British runner Darren Campbell, cricketer Alec Stewart, actor Philip Olivier and Mark Bosnich.

They will face a Legends XI managed by Sir Bobby Robson, which includes Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, Bryan Robson, midfield genius Matthew Le Tissier and former Liverpool shotstopper Bruce Grobbelaar.

At the end of every show, Graham Taylor will nominate the players he thinks have not pulled their weight. Viewers will then vote off the weakest players.