Best Match of the Day! Gary Lineker swaps his football with a fur-ball after teaming up with a raccoon for Walkers Crisps 

By Sharnaz Shahid

Published: 04:08 EST, 8 August 2014 | Updated: 04:15 EST, 8 August 2014

We are used to seeing him talk all things football on Match of the Day.

But for his latest advert, Gary Lineker shows off his playful side as he teams up with a raccoon in a new campaign for Walkers Crisps.

The 53-year-old football star is trying to find the best new flavour for the snacks in the new advert, which is set to launch on Friday.

Animal instinct: Football star Gary Lineker trades in his football for a fur-ball for his latest advert with Walkers Crisps

Animal instinct: Football star Gary Lineker trades in his football for a fur-ball for his latest advert with Walkers Crisps

Speaking about his new furry friend, Lineker said: ‘I think the raccoon was the biggest diva of my Walkers filming partners to date.

‘I'm usually the one stealing the crisps in Walkers ads but the raccoon gave me a run for my money.’

The new TV commercial will show the sports personality tour the whole of the UK along with the four-legged animal to see whether members of the public can tell the difference between the real dishes and six new flavours during a blind test.

 

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Playful nature: The 53-year-old is trying to find the best new flavour for the crisps from a choice of six

Playful nature: The 53-year-old is trying to find the best new flavour for the crisps from a choice of six

‘I'm curious to see which is the nation's favourite as they are so different - from real British comfort food to American favourites,’ he added.

With the help of chef Marco Pierre White and Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams, Walkers' fans came up with a new range, which was eventually whittled down to six flavours.

The flavours consist of: ranch raccoon, cheesy beans on toast, hot dog with tomato ketchup, pulled pork in a sticky BBQ sauce, sizzling steak fajita and chip shop chicken curry.

Nationwide hunt: Along with the raccoon, Gary will test members of the public to see if they can tell the difference between the real dishes and six new flavours during a blind test

Nationwide hunt: Along with the raccoon, Gary will test members of the public to see if they can tell the difference between the real dishes and six new flavours during a blind test

Food glorious food: The six flavours are: ranch raccoon, cheesy beans on toast, hot dog with tomato ketchup, pulled pork in a sticky BBQ sauce, sizzling steak fajita and chip shop chicken curry

Food glorious food: The six flavours are: ranch raccoon, cheesy beans on toast, hot dog with tomato ketchup, pulled pork in a sticky BBQ sauce, sizzling steak fajita and chip shop chicken curry

The eventual winning flavour will earn its creator a £1 million prize.

Meanwhile, Gary recently returned from his long summer jaunt in Brazil after England’s disappointing performance at the World Cup.

During his time there, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona ace - who won 80 England caps – took some time to reflect on his own football career after he appeared on Argentinian legend Diego Maradona's live TV show.

New campaign: The advert with Gary and his four-legged friend is set to launch on Friday

New campaign: The advert with Gary and his four-legged friend is set to launch on Friday

Gary joked: 'It is 28 years ago today, right? How's that hand of yours?'

It was Diego’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal that sent England home in 1986, he beat England goalie Peter Shilton to the ball as he put Argentina to their World Cup victory in Mexico.

Choices! The eventual winning flavour will earn its creator a £1 million prize

Choices! The eventual winning flavour will earn its creator a £1 million prize

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