Ginola swaps soccer for silver screen

David Ginola is swapping football for film after enrolling at top drama school Rada in England.

The Frenchman, as well known for his movie star good looks as his talents on the pitch, wants to make it as an actor.

Until now, Ginola’s acting experience has been limited to the L’Oreal “because I’m worth it” advertisements, and a coffee commercial.

But he now wants to follow in the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Eric Cantona and become a star of the big screen.

Rada is Britain’s most famous drama school, and its alumni include Kenneth Branagh, Albert Finney, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir John Gielgud.

A spokesman for Ginola said: “David said last year he would like to go into films and since then he has been inundated with scripts.

“He has been offered all sorts of things, from romantic roles to quirky comedies.

“There have also been a lot of action films on offer because people see him as a sophisticated, James Bond type character.

“But David wants to take his time to train as an actor before he rushes into anything.”

She added that the former French international would like his first film to be “something with a twist that he can really get his teeth into”.

Ginola, who divides his time between homes in London and the South of France, will begin lessons later this year.

He will have mostly private tutoring but might have the occasional lesson with fellow students.

“The programme has been specifically put together for his requirements. He couldn’t just go and join in with the other students, it would be too disruptive,” his spokeswoman explained.

Ginola retired from English football last season after spells with Newcastle United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton.

His spokeswoman said: “He knows he will not be playing football at that level again so he has been considering his future and decided he would love to act.”

Manchester United star Cantona has found success as an actor since his retirement in 1997, playing a French ambassador in Elizabeth, opposite Cate Blanchett.