Dion Dublin reveals he used to live with Hollywood action superstar

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FT Desk

Former Premier League star Dion Dublin has revealed that he once lived with a friend who would go on to become a Hollywood A-lister.

The 'Homes Under the Hammer' presenter enjoyed a long and successful career as a professional footballer, playing primarily as a centre-forward. He began at Cambridge United before moving to Manchester United in 1992. After a spell at Old Trafford, he joined Coventry City, where he established himself as a prolific Premier League goalscorer, scoring over 100 goals in the top-flight.

He later played for Aston Villa, Leicester City and Celtic, among others, before retiring in 2008. Thereafter, he became a pundit and later a presenter.

Before he became a Premier League star, Dublin would share a flat with his brother and one Jason Statham, now famed for action flicks like Crank, the Transporter series, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Meg.

"Jason Statham was best friends with my brother, who was a DJ in Great Yarmouth when I was a young player at Norwich City, so I lived with him," Dublin told FourFourTwo.

"Jason played the drums. My brother played bass, too, so they played in a band together.

"I was a 17-year-old boy who would go and watch their band then I’d go watch my brother’s DJ sets with Jason, then me and J would go out after. It was good fun. Very chilled out."

Statham's string of action roles would earn him a reputation as a Hollywood hardman, but Dublin says that persona is something that came later in his career.

"I’ve not spoken to him for years but the Jason I knew back then was a very nice, very fun guy," the former Man Utd striker continued.

"He used to be a high board diver for Great Britain, too, and there was a big leisure complex on the sea front at Great Yarmouth so J used to go down sometimes and do his practice on the high board in the pool down there.

"His dad was a singer too. His brother Lee used to work on the markets as well. Jason used to work on the markets with him too so he’s done everything. I think he's deserved everything he’s achieved."

Does Dublin see himself as a Hollywood star?

"Would I fancy moving to Hollywood to follow in Jason Statham’s footsteps?" Dublin asks. "The property is too expensive!

"I’d love to go out there and give it a go though. Imagine that. Dion Dublin, action hero! I suppose I’ve tried everything else, haven't I? I’d throw my hat in the ring for that if they’d give us a job."

Statham was indeed a competitive diver before becoming an actor. He spent around 10 years in Britain’s national diving programme and represented England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

He made his breakthrough in Guy Ritchie's aforementioned Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and his career took off from there.