Wright was on the youth teams of West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham and played semi-professionally – including a loan spell at Crawley in 2006-07 when he was on Grays Athletic's books – before making his name in shows such as The Only Way Is Essex, Take Me Out: The Gossip and Strictly Come Dancing.

He told Crawley's YouTube channel: "I love playing football, it's my number one passion.

"Obviously my career went in a different direction. The speculation is that I'm joining the Reds – it's a bit far-fetched.

"I've just been training with the boys, I know the gaffer, played nine games under the gaffer. I'm just doing it for fitness, I love being around it, the camaraderie, the banter around the dressing room."

Crawley manager Yems said: "He's a good player, so never say never.

"The lads have taken to him and he just wants to play football.

"Mark has played for us, don't forget that. I don't know if he wants to play for us again, you'd have to ask him.

"I want to be like him and go and live in LA but I don't think that is going to happen either!"