Cole brothers to star in fly-on-the-wall series

A NEW documentary from the makers of Wife Swap will hit our screens this summer featuring football’s famous Cole brothers – Ashley, Andrew, Carlton and Joe.

Coles, Goals and Familial Roles follows the siblings as they go about their everyday activities. Viewers will see their daily routine of training for and playing in football matches, and relaxing in the modern mock-Tudor house they share in rural Hertfordshire. Producer Justine Frischmann has promised “not only a fascinating insight into the lives of professional footballers, but a touching look at a thoroughly modern family”.

Preview tapes suggest that oldest brother Andrew assumes a fatherly role, reminding the others about what time training is, where they’re playing that weekend, and occasionally pulling rank by brandishing his PFA Young Player of the Year trophy from 1994. Ashley looks to be the joker in the pack when in front of his brothers, often telling outlandish tales about a string of fictional romantic conquests. But the Chelsea wing-back opens up during teary hour-long confessionals in the house’s Diary Room, revealing a more vulnerable side.

Joe causes ructions in the house because of his extreme untidiness, but his brothers are forgiving as he’s such a whizz in the kitchen. The most withdrawn brother, Carlton appears to spend most of his time alone playing Diddy Kong Racing on the family’s Nintendo 64.

As well as documenting the lighter side of life as footballing siblings, the series also tackles some difficult issues, including some frank and moving discussions between Joe and his brothers about why he is the only family member that is white. Channel 4, who are set to broadcast the series, have categorically refused to comment on any sections of the show which touch on race.

Published March 24, 2008

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