Ex-England footballer Stan Collymore is emerging as the unlikely saviour of the collapsed car company, Rover, it emerged last night.

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker who recently announced a move into acting with a cameo role in Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction, is said to be "seriously considering" a move for Rover, either as part of a consortium, or as a cash buyer.

A spokeswoman for the sports star would not divulge details about the former Liverpool intentions but said: "It is just a thought at this stage."

Even so, the move marks a remarkable turnaround for Rover, which only last week went into receivership after nearly a century of trading.

Collymore and that blue shirt

In an eventful footballing career, Collymore was on the books of 11 different clubs - including Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Leicester - and earned three England caps. However, he became equally well-known for his off-field behaviour.

Collymore gained notoriety in 1998 when he hit his then-girlfriend, TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, and last year he admitted participating in "dogging" - voyeuristic sex with strangers, which led to him losing his job as a pundit with BBC Radio Five Live.

It's understood that his addiction to dogging could be behind his business philanthrophy.

Ashley James, Mr Damian's dogging correspondent told us:

"Rovers have always been the car of choice for doggers - both for watchers and for participants. It could be that the woman beating public jizz spurting overated ex soccer star can't get a hard on any other way - so this move is one of self preservation. Without Rover, his sex life is a dead as his career."

Neither Stan Collymore or his dog, Betsy, were available for comment.

Posted by damian at April 23, 2005 10:19 AM