From robo-heavyweights to angry ice-skaters, sports movies occupy a peculiar and often frankly unwatchable place in the annals of Hollywood history.

Amid global lockdown, the PA news agency runs a daily rule over some of the films that might provide that much-needed sporting fix – and those that absolutely shouldn’t.

MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER (2001)

Summary

Former England manager Graham Taylor (right) and midfielder Paul Gascoigne have characters based after them in the film.
Former England manager Graham Taylor (right) and midfielder Paul Gascoigne have characters based after them in the film (Fiona Hanson/PA)

Cast

Working as assistant manager in Mike Bassett may have prepared Bradley Walsh for the same role with England manager Sam Allardyce during recent Soccer Aid matches.
Working as assistant manager in Mike Bassett may have prepared Bradley Walsh for the same role with Sam Allardyce during recent Soccer Aid matches (Victoria Jones/PA)

Did you know?

Dan Renton Skinner, most famous for his portrayal of comedy character Angelos Epithemiou, took over the role of Kevin Tonkinson for the short-lived Mike Bassett TV series.
Dan Renton Skinner, most famous for his portrayal of comedy character Angelos Epithemiou, took over the role of Kevin Tonkinson for the short-lived Mike Bassett TV series (Ian West/PA)

Review

Liz McClarnon (left) and Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten appeared as themselves in the film, alongside Tomlinson.
Liz McClarnon (left) and Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten appeared as themselves in the film, alongside Tomlinson (Yui Mok/PA)