Roy pulling plug hits ITV figures

Roy Keane’s latest 11th-hour World Cup withdrawal dealt a massive blow to ITV’s drawing power in Ireland, suggests the results of a new survey.

In a poll conducted before he decided to concentrate on his coaching career, Keane easily topped the table as the pundit people most looked forward to watching during the tournament.

Nearly half (48%) picked the Corkman and he proved even more popular with female viewers — 63% chose him as their favourite.