Arsenal icon Ian Wright leaves ITV FA Cup coverage after ‘family bereavement’

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright left ITV’s live coverage of the FA Cup in the first-half due to a family bereavement.

The pundit was part of the panel on the Rochdale vs Plymouth Argyle game in the second round of the competition, appearing before the game on a panel that included former Norwich striker Grant Holt and host Mark Pougatch.

After being involved as part of the build-up to the game, the broadcaster announced at half-time that the 58-year-old had left to be with his family after the news broke of the passing of a loved one.

Messages of support came through on Twitter for the much-loved pundit, with one tweet saying: “"Thoughts are with you mate just heard on ITV."

Another added: "Sending love, Ian."

And another saying: "Our thoughts are with you."

The ex-England international played over 200 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, joining from Crystal Palace in 1991.

Wright went on to score 128 goals in that time, winning a Premier League, two FA Cups, an EFL Cup and a UEFA European Cup Winners’ Cup.

He is Arsenal’s second top goalscorer of all time, only behind Thierry Henry who broke his record in 2005, going down in folklore as one of the Gunners’ greatest.

There was a touching moment just before the game where Ian Wright met his namesake in the crowd. A Rochdale fan in the crowd was also named Ian Wright, and the former Arsenal man went to meet him.

Presenter Pougatch said: "Mr Ian Wright doing lots of selfies today but this one was a little different though because you were actually talking to Ian Wright."

Wright added: "I've wanted to meet him all my life. He said it's been a nightmare for him for 31 years being called it."

Before Pougatch added: "There we go, so good they named him twice."