Since launching in 2018, That Peter Crouch Podcast has become one of the UK’s most successful sports podcasts. What started as a football show has evolved into a mix of football stories, comedy and discussions about everyday life. While there is plenty of analysis and insight, the podcast is best known for its humour and the chemistry between its three hosts.
The show is fronted by former England striker Peter Crouch alongside broadcaster Chris Stark and former Premier League midfielder Steve Sidwell. Rather than taking itself too seriously, the trio focus on entertaining listeners with dressing-room stories, behind-the-scenes experiences and humorous debates that football fans can easily relate to.
That Peter Crouch Podcast Background
That Peter Crouch Podcast first launched in September 2018 as a BBC Sounds original while Peter Crouch was still a professional footballer. At the time, he was still representing recently relegated Stoke City, where he was largely being used as a substitute. In January 2019, he joined Burnley before retiring at the end of the 2018/19 season. Once his playing career ended, he was able to devote even more time and energy to the podcast.
Original Line-Up
The original line-up featured Peter Crouch alongside Chris Stark and BBC Radio broadcaster Tom Fordyce. The chemistry between the three proved an instant success, with listeners enjoying the combination of football insight, self-deprecating humour and relaxed conversation. In March 2022, the podcast left the BBC and moved to the commercial platform Acast. The switch allowed for greater global expansion and commercial opportunities, including sponsorship deals that are not possible under the BBC’s licensing model.
Replacement Hosts
Tom Fordyce did not follow the podcast for this new chapter, however, citing family reasons. Rather than replacing him with another broadcaster, the podcast initially brought in football analyst Statman Dave, who had built a large following through his YouTube channel. Although his tactical knowledge was widely respected, many listeners felt he did not quite fit the established dynamic.
In 2023, he was replaced by former Premier League midfielder Steve Sidwell, who had previously played alongside Crouch at Stoke City and appeared as a guest on the pod. Sidwell’s football background and easy-going personality helped recreate the natural chemistry that had made the podcast so popular.
Awards
Over the years, the podcast has won multiple industry awards and has regularly ranked among the UK’s most popular sports podcasts. It regularly features in the top 10 of the sports charts on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
A Popular Figure
One of the biggest reasons for the podcast’s popularity is Peter Crouch himself. Across a career spanning nearly two decades, he represented clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Stoke City, while also earning more than 40 caps for England.
Although Crouch was never considered one of the world’s elite players, he spent well over a decade in the Premier League and also featured in the Champions League and the 2006 World Cup. He played alongside some of football’s biggest names and worked under a wide range of managers, giving him a wealth of experience and stories to draw upon.
Crouch has also long been one of football’s most popular personalities. His famous response when asked what he would have been if he had not become a professional footballer, “a virgin”, remains one of the sport’s most memorable quotes. Combined with his iconic robot goal celebration and willingness to laugh at himself, he has become a genuine fan favourite. Supporters of his former clubs almost universally speak highly of him, not just because of his performances but because of his personality. Often, it is not simply the stories he tells that make the podcast entertaining, but the way he tells them.
While many football podcasts promote themselves around a panel of equal personalities, Crouch is very much the star of the show. That said, the supporting cast complements him well. Sidwell contributes plenty of entertaining stories from his own career, while Chris Stark offers the perspective and enthusiasm of an everyday football fan, plus a wealth of broadcasting experience. The three have developed outstanding chemistry, which explains why the current line-up has remained together for several years.
Celebrity Guests and Memorable Interviews
Did you know this about Thiago Silva? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yndotgInDx
— That Peter Crouch Podcast (@PeterCrouchPod) February 27, 2025
Although many episodes feature only the regular trio, the podcast also welcomes guests from football and beyond. Former teammates, managers, sports stars and celebrities regularly appear to share stories and join the relaxed conversations. Football guests have included Jermaine Defoe, Wayne Bridge, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Duncan Ferguson, Emmanuel Petit, Mick McCarthy and Joe Hart.
The format might be a little too relaxed for some former players, but its informal nature encourages authentic stories and genuinely funny moments. It is the kind of podcast where listeners regularly hear anecdotes they are unlikely to have come across before. Despite all the laughter and decidedly laddie banter, however, the hosts also know when to strike a more serious tone. When conversations turn to difficult moments or personal experiences, they give guests the space to open up.
The podcast also features non-football guests far more regularly than many sports shows. While football always remains part of the conversation, these episodes often explore the guest’s own career and experiences. Previous guests have included Gary Oldman, Rod Stewart, Niall Horan, Danny Dyer, Luke Littler and Marcus Mumford.
How to Listen to That Peter Crouch Podcast
That Peter Crouch Podcast is available across all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. Older episodes (2018-2021) from its BBC era are also available on BBC Sounds. Full episodes, highlights and clips are widely shared across YouTube and social media, helping the show reach audiences well beyond traditional podcast listeners.
New episodes are released regularly throughout the year, with new instalments typically arriving every Wednesday. During major tournaments, such as the World Cup or European Championships, additional episodes are often released to cover the latest developments. Most standard episodes last between 50 and 90 minutes.
The success of the podcast has also led to several live events under the Crouchfest banner. Staged in 2019, 2022 and 2023, these shows brought the podcast to a live audience. At the time of writing, however, no future Crouchfest events have been announced.