As Lionesses forward Chloe Kelly prepares for a crucial Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden, an awkward television moment from her past has resurfaced, involving a bizarre comment from presenter Richard Madeley.
The exchange occurred on Good Morning Britain in August 2022, just two days after Kelly’s extra-time winner secured the Euro 2022 trophy for England against Germany. As the interview concluded, Madeley referred to the football star as ‘Coco’, a personal nickname he uses for his own daughter, who is also named Chloe.
The presenter left Kelly and viewers puzzled when he said: “Chloe – or ‘Coco’ as I call my daughter Chloe – Coco, thank you very much indeed for coming in.” The Manchester City player responded with a polite but uncomfortable smile.
The on-air moment drew immediate criticism from the public, with many viewers calling the remark patronising and inappropriate. One person commented on social media: “I cannot imagine a young male player who’d just scored the winning goal for England in a final going on TV and being told ‘Colin – or ‘Col-Col’ as I call my son Colin – Col-Col, thank you very much indeed for coming in.'” Another viewer described the comment as “creepy and totally inappropriate,” adding, “She’s called Chloe, not Coco!”
Two years on, Kelly’s focus is firmly on the present as the Lionesses aim to reach another major final, following their World Cup final appearance in 2023. After a challenging start to their Euro 2025 campaign, Sarina Wiegman’s side has found its form with victories over the Netherlands and a commanding 6-1 win against Wales.
Reflecting on the fame that followed her 2022 heroics, the 27-year-old acknowledged the transition has had its challenges. “It’s been great, some highs, some lows and some in-betweens,” she said. “It’s definitely taken some adjusting but I’m just me, a girl from London loving her football and that’s what I’ll always be.”
With England peaking at a critical time, Kelly expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome Sweden. “We have such quality in our team which is great for us,” she stated. “Not only in the games but in the training sessions we’re pushing each other, too. It’s healthy competition. You have to be at your best here and that’s really important.”
