‘Big Brother had nothing to do with me leaving Man Utd – Fergie didn’t watch it’

Former Manchester United star Kieran Richardson insisted Big Brother had nothing to do with his departure from Old Trafford.

When he was trying to get a foothold in Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans, his cousin Charley Uchea was causing havoc on Big Brother – 8. The loud and exuberant model was one of the more memorable contestants, whether it was her arguing with other housemates or her fake eviction which saw her depart the house to a silent crowd, only to then be brought back in on the same evening.

Richardson was reportedly left feeling slightly embarrassed by her antics on the controversial series. However, despite it coinciding with his Old Trafford exit and subsequent move to Sunderland, he insists his departure had nothing to do with her antics in the series.

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Richardson was a topic of conversation in the Big Brother house, as the show announced his move to Sunderland in a tongue-in-cheek fake episode of the news, featuring presenters wearing terrible wigs. However, a furious Uchea went on a long rant about how she had never heard of Sunderland and how she believed Richardson should be filling in the voids left by the likes of Ryan Giggs.

“My cousin said what she said at the time, on Big Brother, about my move to Sunderland. But she doesn't really know football; it was as simple as that,” Richardson said to Ladbrokes Fanzone. “She knows the bigger clubs, obviously, like Man United and Liverpool, but she hadn't heard of Sunderland.

What were your memories of Charley Uchea's 2007 appearance on Big Brother? Let us know in the comments-section below

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“It was funny, because they obviously told the house about my move from Man United to Sunderland in one of the episodes that summer, but she didn't really know what was happening, or what club I was joining. It's not her fault, she just didn't know. It was funny to see it though, and it was all tongue-in-cheek, really. It could have been any club apart from the top ones, and she'd have said the same thing, I'm sure.”

Richardson also admitted that he was relieved the season was over so he was not in the dressing room with the players, while she was on the reality television show. He also stated the club did not feel her antics ever reflected on the team as a whole. “I was alright, really, because I didn't have to go to training or spend time with the players while all of that was going on,” he added.

“I think it had already been decided that I was leaving the club, actually, so I didn't experience anything negative from the club about Charley [Uchea] being on the show. And then, obviously, when I got to Sunderland, no one was really saying anything about it. I think that was the right time to leave Man United, though. I remember Sir Alex saying 'you don't have to leave, but we've had a couple of offers'. He didn't say I had to leave, but I knew it was probably better for me to go, to be honest.

“I have a great relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, and always did, throughout my time with the club. I've known him since I was a young kid, and he only wants the best for his players. If he felt like it was my time to move on, then I was happy with that decision. Do I think he was watching Big Brother that summer? No, I don't think so whatsoever! Big Brother had nothing to do with me leaving Manchester United. It was strictly football reasons only.”

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