Former referee Mike Dean discusses career events on Jamie Vardy podcast

The Guardian Sport3 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 2:28 PM

Last updated Sep 3, 2026

Former referee Mike Dean discusses career events on Jamie Vardy podcast
Summary

Former match official Mike Dean recently appeared as a guest on the podcast hosted by Jamie Vardy and comedian Josh James. The episode, titled Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party, features the 61-year-old official reminiscing about his time refereeing in English football. While the program is marketed as a retrospective of his professional career, the conversation has drawn attention for its controversial nature. Dean, who is based in the Wirral, spoke at length about his experiences officiating at the heart of the sport. The podcast episode serves as the primary source for these remarks regarding his long-standing tenure in the English game.

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Key Details
  • Mike Dean appeared on the podcast hosted by Jamie Vardy and Josh James.
  • The episode features a look back at Dean's career as a match official.
  • The 61-year-old former referee is originally from the Wirral.
  • The podcast content has generated controversy regarding his past career.
Latest Updates
  • 2:28 PMThe Guardian SportFootball Daily | Mike Dean appears to blow the whistle on himself over in-match game claims
What they're saying
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Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! While Football Daily likes to think we have our finger on the cultural pulse, before this week we were oblivious to the fact that Jamie Vardy has his own podcast. Called Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party, it is a far more sedate affair than the name suggests, given the only episode we have seen features our t1tular hero and his sidekick the comedian Josh James listening to Mike Dean reminisce about his time as a referee. While Football Daily can’t think of any social gathering that wouldn’t be enhanced by the presence of a 61-year-old former match official from the Wirral on its guest list, this isn’t so much a party as an occasionally awkward conversation. Its claim to be “a hilarious look back at Mike’s career at the heart of English football” is as bold as it is false, but what the episode lacks in laughs it has more than made up for in controversy. Many thanks to Mike Wilner for the kind words re: my international retirement (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). Per his advice, I tried Googling the Galapagos and although I couldn’t understand much on their FA website, it seemed to have a fair few mentions of the English term ‘survival of the fittest’, so obviously that’s not an option for me. And besides, the centre-half they showed training on the beach on their homepage looked slower (and even older) than Harry Maguire. As for Mauritius, I did get a little excited about my prospects on learning that their nickname was the Dodos, but then I saw that all-red strip and knew I could never don such a painful reminder of Bayern Munich, 1975, and well … Liverpool, 1892 onwards. So it’s down to Laos now, and though that sticky rice looks tasty, they also play in red. I need a new Mr 15%” – Justin Kavanagh. This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...

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