Bookmaker Paddy Power has capitalised on the controversy around axed Soccer Saturday stars Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier by building a new sitcom series around them.

After getting the boot last month, the iconic trio have shown their acting prowess to get back in the game on the opening day of the season.

The series, titled Pundits, features the house-sharing Thompson, Nicholas and Le Tissier bemoaning their luck after getting shown the door.

But they aren’t down for long – because there’s a special guest on hand to help launch their own version of the iconic show.

Using an ancient camcorder and with the imaginatively titled name Score Saturday plastered on a bedsheet, Alan Curbishley takes the anchor role to help the lads get back on their feet.

Except all doesn’t quite go to plan.

After debating whether they can get away with using illegal streams, Thommo’s feed is ruined by pop-ups telling him there’s hot singles in his area while Le Tissier’s (The) Dell laptop keeps buffering.

The first episode of the series was released on Saturday, September 12,.

Across two further instalments, we see them prepare for a new opportunity in TV, learn about the modern world of football and finally, contact the spirit world for some pointers, naturally. The episodes will be released every Saturday across Paddy Power’s social channels.

Spokesman Paddy Power said: “The Premier League is back in our lives once again, but there are some familiar faces that won’t be on our screens for the first time in years.

“Or so you thought. We’ve managed to get the gang back together, and we see what their lives are like now as they live together and try to navigate the new world of football.

“We cannot confirm or deny how accurate it is to the truth.”