Eric Cantona baffled viewers tuning into Michael McIntyre’s Big Show on Saturday night with his dramatic performance of debut song The Friends We Lost.
Cantona, 57, is of course best known for his career in football, which included a much-celebrated five-year stint at Manchester United.
The talented player was a French hero to many of his British fans – who famously would cheer him on with the terrace chant of ‘Ooh Aah Cantona’ whenever he scored a goal.
However, the mournful tune he sang for comedian McIntyre’s audience struck rather a different note among viewers who were surprised by both his singing and the serious nature of his delivery.
Dressed in an oversized red cardigan with a deep vee that showed a grey T-shirt underneath, dark trousers and a black porkpie hat, Cantona gave a dedicated rendition of his French torch song, which includes the lyrics: ‘The blood of our lovely flowers / In peace our enemies can rest.’
‘Most bizarre TV highlight of the year so far… Eric Cantona on the Michael McIntyre Show,’ wrote Sean Hornby on social media platform X.
‘Obviously, we’ve got a fair few months to go before the end of the year….. but….,’ the bewildered fan added.
Others shared his confusion, with Karen Wild posting: ‘Eric Cantona unexpectedly singing on #bigshow? I was half expecting Eric Morecambe to wander on with his brown coat and broom.’
‘Just turned over to #michaelmcintyresbigshow and wondering if I’ve hit my head, had my tea spiked or have entered an alternative universe. #EricCantona sings???’ questioned puzzled social media user @_pyeface.
‘Watching Eric Cantona sing on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show has got to be one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen,’ agreed Alan Cohen.
‘I thought Eric Cantona “singing” on the McIntyre show was a comedy skit. But no, he’s on Spotify,’ quipped Mindy Kisby.
In fact, Cantona actually released The Friends We Lost last June, followed by his first album, I’ll Make My Own Heaven, in October.
Described as ‘French Indie’ in genre, that was very much the vibe the retired athlete was conveying with the moody lighting and hint of stage smoke, as well as sombre accompaniment by a piano and cello for his whispered gravelly tones.
‘I’m not sure what to make of Eric Cantona’s performance. I can’t decide if it’s a beautiful piece of musical art or a train wreck?!’ admitted viewer Shar, bluntly.
However, many also enjoyed his unexpected new career with him drawing comparisons to iconic French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.
‘I tell you want [sic] Eric Cantona’s new The Friends We Lost song is the type of ridiculous European nonsense I could get right into,’ announced Ian Reynolds.
‘Eric Cantona giving the most Eric Cantona performance ever. Only Eric even tries that. What a treasure. What a man. What a legend,’ praised fan @cdsmithphoto.
Others were also digging his look, with Aldo sharing: ‘Eric Cantona is the alpha radio 6 dad. Fantastic cardigan too.’
The former athlete has already been on tour as a singer, and will do so again.
He told Michael: ‘I go back [on the road] in April and then it’s summertime, I go on the beach, and I come back on the road September, October.’
After retiring from football aged 30 in 1997, the French international focused on an acting career including films Elizabeth and Looking For Eric, but said how he now thought when singing live that it was a feeling ‘as strong as football’.
Cantona Sings Eric, his live album vinyl from his tour, is out on March 29. You can also catch him in UK and Ireland venues including Dublin, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds, London, Wolverhampton and Manchester between April 10 – 20.
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