Sky Sports host-turned-Hollywood star tells GB News why striker is ‘role model’ for young Britons after Ballon d’Or win

Despite swapping debates about VAR for the glitz and glam of Hollywood, football still remains a passion for Jackson Coleman. When speaking at the premiere of her new film, City of Masks, she explained to GB News why she was so pleased to see the Bayern Munich striker crowned the world’s best footballer.

“I think Harry Kane’s been brilliant. He’s a well-deserved winner in my eyes,” she told The People’s Channel. “And I’m really pleased to see an Englishman winning it.”

Reminiscing about her time working in the sporting world, she revealed: “I actually gave Lionel Messi his first Ballon d’Or back in 2009.

“I love that fact because I’m trying to reap the rewards of my son because he’s not so impressed I’m not doing football anymore.”

The actress chuckled as she continued: “Anyway, really pleased about Harry Kane. I think he’s a really good role model for children.”

Explaining why, Jackson Coleman went on: “When he was younger, he got dropped from his academy; he worked hard, he kept going, and it just shows you that if you put in the hard work, (it pays off).

“(Also) I think off the pitch, he’s a really good role model as well. I mean, his lovely wife had all that horrible stuff in the press, and the way they handled that was so good.

“He’s a well-worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or and a really good role model. I think that wrapped together, he’s brilliant in my eyes.”

Away from the world of sport, Jackson Coleman hits the big screen in City of Masks this week, a film she describes as “a gothic reimagining of the classic Phantom of the Opera” story.

Jackson Coleman stars as Helen opposite Amanda Jiang in the lead role as Eve. Other stars include Lewis Santer, Charlie Goddard, Shayli Reagan, Madalina BellariuIon, and Deano Bugatti Mitchison.

Teasing what cinema and theatre fans could expect from the new drama, Jackson Coleman revealed: “It’s basically got theatrical spectacle, it’s got mystery, it’s got romance, it’s got drama; all these secrets and surprises.

“And it’s got two fantastic original songs. We’re hoping that fans of the original Phantom of the Opera will watch this one. It’s a modern version and female-led.”

City of Masks is far from the only project on Jackson Coleman’s CV since she left the Sky Sports studio behind her.

A cameo in Tom Cruise’s Digger, as well as stints in the BBC’s Silent Witness and the psychological thriller Secrets are also on her resume.

Discussing the career shift, Jackson Coleman explained to GB News: “I was presenting for years, then just before Covid I decided to retrain – it was my midlife crisis!

“I’ve always wanted to act. I do like presenting, but this was something that was always inside of me that I always wanted to do.

“When I was presenting, I did the Keith Lemon film, and that gave me a little taster (so) basically, I retrained and graduated in 2021 as a mature student – one of the girls I was training with used to call me granny!

“It was difficult; you start again at the bottom, and there aren’t many roles for people in their 40s, but I still absolutely loved it.

“I had a role on Silent Witness; I’m doing a pilot for a new comedy which is like a mix between Extras and Motherland; it’s very funny.

“There’s a rom-com I’m shooting at the end of the year, City of Masks as well! And Secrets on Amazon Prime.

“So I am enjoying it; I am working, which is a good thing, but that’s not to say I haven’t been working hard and a lot of rejection along the way.”

And there’s clearly no looking back for Jackson Coleman. “I keep doing a lot of auditioning and trying to get more jobs. If I was just acting every day, I would be very happy,” she added.

City of Masks is available to watch in UK & Ireland cinemas now.