Former football star Adebayo Akinfenwa, renowned for his powerful physique and nickname 'The Beast', has embarked on a surprising new career path in interior design. This move comes after the end of his 22-year football career in 2022 and a brief, painful foray into television challenges and professional wrestling.
From the Pitch to TV Trials: A Brutal Experience
Akinfenwa, the 43-year-old former striker for clubs like AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe Wanderers, recently appeared on Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. While he described the experience as "exhilarating, stimulating and painful," he firmly stated it is a one-time venture. The show, which played on his fears of heights and water, led him to declare "never again" to similar adrenaline-fuelled programmes.
When asked about potential appearances on shows like Strictly Come Dancing or I'm A Celebrity..., Akinfenwa expressed doubts, citing his knee and a humorous admission about getting "very angry when I'm hungry."
Wrestling Dreams Deferred by Injury
The football legend's post-retirement plans initially included a potential switch to professional wrestling. In October 2022, he made his in-ring debut at a Progress Wrestling event, teaming with Anthony Ogogo. However, a persistent shoulder injury forced him to withdraw from a scheduled follow-up match, effectively ending his WWE aspirations before they could fully develop.
Akinfenwa confirmed to the Daily Star that he had considered WWE seriously after hanging up his boots, but conflicting schedules and his injury halted those ambitions.
Designing a New Future with Keys or Coffee
Now, Akinfenwa is channelling his energy into a completely different field: interior design. He has partnered with TV property expert Stuart Douglas on a new interactive project called Keys or Coffee. This venture allows the public to help design celebrity homes for a chance to win them, with entry costing around £3 – the price of a coffee.
Akinfenwa will be designing one room in a property alongside other celebrities like Jeff Brazier and Scarlette Douglas. He has embraced this creative new direction, sharing his personal design philosophy.
"I think Keys or Coffee is a wicked idea," Akinfenwa said. "It fuses somebody who's got the aspirations of a house design without the actual funds... I'm a simplest. I like space, you know? I don't like overly cluttered. I like colours and I like lights."
This new venture marks a significant and unexpected next chapter for the football cult hero, trading the physical demands of sport for the creative world of home design.
