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Father Ted Star Denies Being Jack Grealish's Dad After Fans Point Out Resemblance

Father Ted Star Denies Being Jack Grealish's Dad After Fans Point Out Resemblance

Joe Rooney and Jack Grealish bear a remarkable resemblance

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

Father Ted star Joe Rooney has continued to stress he isn't the father of England's Jack Grealish, despite a certain resemblance.

Rooney played Fr Damo in Father Ted, and has received huge amounts of messages since the start of the Euros, comparing him with the Aston Villa captain.

Speaking with the Irish Sun, Rooney said: "I was getting constant messages about Grealish looking like my son during the Euros.

Joe Rooney as Fr Damo in Father Ted.
Channel 4
Jack Grealish.
AP/LaPresse/PA Images

"I guess I don't mind because he's a good looking fella. I don't have that sort of hair anymore but Father Damo was big into his hair."

Rooney, aged 57, pointed out that his real son, Danny Rooney, who is a member of Irish Band Modernlove, takes priority over his fake son, Jack.

He said: "I was in a band myself and what Danny has achieved is beyond my wildest dreams. He's a great kid...so there's no danger of me moving Jack Grealish into my house in Drogheda and kicking Danny out.

"Danny is my son, he's great craic and I love him dearly."

Joe Rooney with his actual son Danny.
Instagram/Joe Rooney

The comedian joked about the fact that Grealish made the decision to represent England instead of Ireland.

He said: "The only thing I have to say about Jack Grealish is that he's an awful b****cks playing for England rather than Ireland."

Grealish originally played for Ireland at youth level before making the switch to England in 2015.

The 25-year-old, although born and bred in Birmingham, has family roots in Ireland.

His mother's side of the family are from Dublin and his father's side has links to Counties Galway and Kerry.

With Grealish's grandma still living in the area, locals gathered in the town of Sneem, Co. Kerry, to support him during the final of Euro 2020 last Sunday (11 July).

PA

When the switch was made to move to the England National team in 2015, it took Grealish five years to get called up to the senior squad.

It would have been hard to leave him out this year as he proved to be one of the best players in the Premier League this season.

Grealish's most relevant accolade is that for two seasons in a row now, he is the most fouled player in the division, as well as finishing joint fourth on the leagues assist charts, four behind Harry Kane who was top of the list.

Featured Image Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire/PA Images & joerooneycomedian.com

Topics: TV and Film, Euro 2020