An ex-regional journalist has joined forces with a former soap star for a new football podcast.

Mark Roach has launched the Early Doors Football Podcast with actor, writer and broadcaster Tom Watt, who played ‘Lofty’ in Eastenders.

Mark, pictured, began his career as a junior sports reporter on the Maidenhead Advertiser in 1989 and went on to serve as sports editor of the Grantham Journal, Slough Observer, Kensington Times and the Gulf Daily News in Bahrain.

He was also a sports writer at the Nottingham Evening Post and has been editor of several sports magazines and websites.

Mark and Tom will co-host the podcast with ex-Leeds United and Reading defender Dylan Kerr, while current Portsmouth Women’s forward Cherelle Khassal hosts a weekly women’s football section.

In addition, Mark will be talking to fans of English clubs from around the world.

The guests for the first episode were former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin and Sky Sports’ Women’s Super League reporter Lynsey Hooper.

Upcoming guests include Martin Allen, John Salako, Shaka Hislop, Nicky Forster, former Premier League referees Mark Halsey and Keith Hackett and Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell.