The former England midfielder has refused to join DAVID BADDIEL, FRANK SKINNER and ROBBIE WILLIAMS on the latest version of classic footie anthem Three Lions.

The troubled Geordie declined their offer last week.

A source said: "He didn't take long to make up his mind.

"He was asked to do it and made his decision less than 48 hours later."

Producer TREVOR HORN is the brains behind the new version of the song - and David told me how he wanted "a ragtag bag of English eccentrics" on board to sing the track.

Gazza was his first choice - but perhaps he is still upset about being famously left out of the England squad for France 98.

Maybe JOHN BARNES would fancy another rap?

Three Lions may be returning for the World Cup but David says his cult TV show Fantasy Football won't be.

He said: "We are still doing podcasts for Absolute Radio but the show is no more.

"People ask me why and it's because major tournaments were being ruined for me - I was just watching football to look for funny bits.

"Now I get to go to South Africa and enjoy the games."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol....1xKpUUM

Last month I revealed how ROBBIE WILLIAMS also got involved with the hush-hush project after stumbling upon it at a West London studio.

Now LIGHTNING SEEDS singer IAN BROUDIE - who co-wrote the original song with comics DAVID BADDIEL and FRANK SKINNER - is weaving in the new contributions in time for the tournament.

A source said: "Russell is a massive football fan and has always liked the track so he thought, 'Why not?' "

Perhaps he thought it might encourage fiancйe KATY PERRY to dress up in a saucy England strip after she wore a sexy outfit in West Ham colours to the MTV Awards in Berlin last year.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol....RFuZ3gL

Speculation about his involvement follows reports that both Robbie Williams and Russell Brand will also feature.

Once again, Frank Skinner and David Baddiel are expected to front the World Cup song, alongside Ian Broudie from The Lightning Seeds.

Speaking about other guests, Skinner said: "I have heard rumours, yeah. There's all sort of talk going on.

"I heard Pete Doherty's name mentioned, even. Anyway that's probably a secret, I shouldn't have said," admitted the comic.

'3 Lions' has previously topped the UK singles chart in 1996 and 1998.
http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna....news_dm

But now the BBC commentator will don his famous sheepskin and use his pipes for the good of England, in a bid for pop immortality.

Motty has signed up for the updated version of footie anthem Three Lions for this summer's World Cup.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS and PETE DOHERTY are already on board for the reworking of the DAVID BADDIEL and FRANK SKINNER classic, first released for Euro '96.

A source said: "John was really happy to be asked to take part.

"He recorded his contribution in a London studio last week and had a real blast doing it."

It's all coming together nicely but it will never surpass Scotland's World Cup '98 song Don't Come Home Too Soon by DEL AMITRI.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol....6cOQ6st

He provides vocals for an overhauled version of the football anthem which is on course to chart at just 29, according to official midweek predictions.

The track also features a chart debut for comedian Russell Brand, as well as the song's original performers Frank Skinner, David Baddiel and the Lighting Seeds star Ian Broudie.

The track previously topped the charts in 1996 and 1998 and has been re-recorded to support the England squad at this summer's World Cup finals. However sales are expected to pick up as next month's competition in South Africa draws closer.

Williams' last single Morning Sun was his first to fail to make the top 40, despite being the official charity single for Sport Relief.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news....5874.jp

Alas today is a new day and exactly the same radio has played something truly awful. Something we wish we could unhear. Like when we were six and we sneaked downstairs at midnight to pinch a Kit-Kat, and we had to walk past our parents room and... Oh lord.

Anyway, what we heard this morning was the 2010 version of Three Lions. That's right folks they're wheeling it out again for a third and, please God, final time.

How is it? Well it's abysmal. Complete with Robbie Williams and Russell Brand vocals, inexplicable Christmas jingles and gospel choir it surely spells the end of the road for this once great tune.

And it's in good company. In fact, England World Cup songs this year are perhaps the worst on record. Hark, here they come now...

"Artist": Robbie Williams, Russel Brand, The ACM Gospel choir, and of course Baddiel, Skinner and Lightning Seeds form the original.
Track: Three Lions 2010 (no video yet)
Reminds us of: Flogging a dead horse.
Worst lyric: Not so much the lyrics, more any part which features Robbie and the baffling Christmassy feel of it all.

Read more: http://www.asylum.co.uk/2010....Ze8nN8G