Gordon in the morning: An extended advert for a rival

Having spent the last week trying to interest people in SunExtremistTalk, Gordon now shares the love by spending time promoting Rio Ferdinand's egomagaizne #5 by letting Rio trot in to the Sun offices and show off a bit:

And who should call the Big Man when he popped into the Bizarre offices but Jacko?

However, it wasn’t former Scotland and Hibs midfielder DARREN, as I first hoped, nor X Factor flop LEON JACKSON looking for a job making tea.

It was none other than oddball legend MICHAEL JACKSON, inviting Rio backstage at one of his O2 shows later this year to film an interview for the mag.

What a wonderful coincidence that Jackson just happened to phone while Rio was at The Sun, eh?
No wonder the awkward photo looks more awkward than usual, though. Smart seems a little overwhelmed:

Now that’s a decent number to have on the old speed dial.

You're the showbusyness editor of the UK's best selling newspaper. You shouldn't be jealous of a footballer's contact book.

Still, if Rio's Rio magazine has better contacts, it's not like he's going to unseat you with writing and insight, is it, Gordon?

Here's Rio's thoughts on Oasis:

I THINK Oasis are brilliant. They are the first band I got into of that type of music.

Frank Lampard got me into them.

The first album, Definitely Maybe, is a classic. I’d love to get the Gallagher brothers in for an interview but they’d never go for it because I am United.

Uh-oh. Nothing of very much value to add to the debate, a desire to put himself at the centre of the story, and some extra names dropped to remind you just how well-connected he is? Maybe he could challenge for your job, Gordon. If he ever learns how to make a weak pun, you should start packing.