PICTURED: The moment BBC prankster was ARRESTED after joining Man City warm-up 

  • Simon Brodkin hopped onto Goodison Park dressed as alter ego Jason Bent
  • Began stretching alongside City stars Joe Hart and Kolo Toure
  • Stewards finally alerted by coach David Platt and he was arrested

PUBLISHED: 08:17 EST, 16 March 2013 | UPDATED: 15:20 EST, 16 March 2013


This is the moment BBC comedian Simon Brodkin somehow managed to get on the Goodison Park pitch and warm up with the Manchester City squad.

Players, including goalkeeper Joe Hart and Kolo Toure and assistant manager David Platt looked on in bemusement as Brodkin, whose is best known for his comic creation Lee Nelson, jogged along the touchline and did stretches.

In this instance, Brodkin was in the guise of footballer Jason Bent, a character from his BBC Three series Lee Nelson's Well Funny People, wearing an identical maroon tracksuit to the City players.

His presence alerted players, stewards and security staff and he was escorted off the pitch and later arrested.

Who's this? Man City goalkeeper points the finger as Jason Bent, a character creation of comedian Simon Brodkin, warms up with the squad before their match with Everton

Who's this? Man City goalkeeper points the finger as Jason Bent, a character creation of comedian Simon Brodkin, warms up with the squad before their match with Everton

Perplexed: City assistant David Platt looks on puzzled as the BBC comedian jogs along the touchline

Perplexed: City assistant David Platt looks on puzzled as the BBC comedian jogs along the touchline

Get off! The japester, who was filming a prank for new BBC Three series, is hauled off the Goodison Park pitch by stewards

Get off! The japester, who was filming a prank for new BBC Three series, is hauled off the Goodison Park pitch by security officials

Led away: The japester was escorted by security officials before he was later arrested for the offence


A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: 'We can confirm that a 35-year-old from London was arrested before the Everton v Manchester City game this afternoon.

'A man was arrested on suspicion of pitch encroachment after he went on to the pitch.

'He has been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed.'

Play was held up in the corresponding fixture between the two sides last season when a man ran onto the field and handcuffed himself to a goalpost.

The man had been protesting about Ryanair's recruitment policy after his daughter was denied a job by the airline.

Everton won today's game 2-0.

Bemusement: City players look on as 'Jason Bent' chases after a ball

Bemusement: City players look on as 'Jason Bent' chases after a ball

Stripping off: Brodkin was wearing the identical kit sported by City in the match with 'Bent 9' on the back

Stripping off: Brodkin was wearing the identical kit sported by City in the match with 'Bent 9' on the back

Confronted: Samir Nasri looks on as Brodkin is chased down by security guards

Confronted: Samir Nasri looks on as Brodkin is chased down by security guards

He emerged from the crowd with just under five minutes remaining until half-time and shackled himself to the frame of City keeper Joe Hart's goal.

After a hold-up which resulted in five minutes of first-half stoppage time, he was released and led away by police.

No laughing matter: The TV funnyman is arrested by police
TV funnyman: Lee Nelson

No laughing matter: The TV funnyman was arrested by police (left) - and, right, as character Lee Nelson

Protest: A man handcuffed himself to the goalpost in the corresponding fixture last season

Protest: A man handcuffed himself to the goalpost in the corresponding fixture last season

VIDEO: Simon Brodkin as professional footballer alter-ego Jason Bent

 
 

More...


 
Add your comments

Comments (111)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

Brilliant, looked every bit as much of a player as the rest on the pitch, with mancini had played him, they might not have got thrashed then and helped keep the predictable EPL at least a little interesting for another month. Top four will be the same old four again this season. Man Utd, City, Chelsea and one other of which who cares. BORING.

Click to rate     Rating   7

Report abuse

Lee Nelson isn't real he is a character like Alan Partridge or Ali G!! Simon Brodkin who plays Lee Nelson used to be a doctor!!!

Click to rate     Rating   7

Report abuse

Good handful of you saying "That's Lee Nelson" as if you are really clever. It is written in the story......and you're all too thick to realise that Lee Nelson is a character that he plays and not a real person. Nice one.... numpties

Click to rate     Rating   9

Report abuse

He should be sacked, does he not realise the tax payers pay the police there wages, but no it was only fun, lets see if a normal person did this well, come on BBC do something

Click to rate     Rating   37

Report abuse

what a ledge !!

Click to rate     Rating   9

Report abuse

What a Ledge !

Click to rate     Rating   4

Report abuse

He tried to steal one of his own DVDs as a stunt but got arrested then too. Must by now have an arrest sheet big enough to run the east end of London innit Lee?

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

I like Simon Brodkin, and his characters Lee Nelson and Jason Bent, but that's twice the DM has run publicity stories about him being arrested now. Enough.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

Lee Nelson is a character played by Simon Brodkin, It's amazing how many people think Lee Nelson is a real person!

Click to rate     Rating   13

Report abuse

hahha brilliant, shame he didn't get to play, probably would have helped Man City.

Click to rate     Rating   27

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms