London, Feb. 10 : Rio Ferdinand''s past life as a ballet dancer is revealed in a campaign being fronted by the new England football captain.
The National Portrait Gallery pictures Rio Ferdinand relaxing in a leather chair as part of the marketing drive.
Ferdinand''s photograph contains the words Central Defender, Central to England, Central School of Ballet.
According to Sky News, this refers to his background as a dancer who attended classes four times a week for four years.
Born in Peckham, south London, Ferdinand''s sporting career started at the age of 10 when he was invited to the Queens Park Rangers Football Academy.
However, when he was 11-years-old he also won a scholarship to the Central School of Ballet in London.
He travelled by bus from his home to central London to get to the classes.
The dance lessons improved his natural balance but eventually he chose a career as a footballer and signed his first professional contract in 1995
The Manchester United defender joins historical figures, such as artist LS Lowry, King Charles II, Lord Nelson, and Mary, Queen of Scots, for the campaign.
The photograph is on display at the gallery, and will now be seen on posters, adverts and bus shelters.
For the new campaign, Mark Guthrie photographed Ferdinand in a studio. (ANI)
Similar
- ‘Unhappy’ Tevez looking forward to leaving Europe
- Determined Razzaq says Test career not over for Pakistan
- John Terry ‘accuses Vanessa Perroncel of trying to cash in on scandal’
- Peter Crouch ‘begging fiancée Abbey Clancy not to dump him’
- Walcott says ''fantastic'' Beckham is the perfect football professional
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.