Adrian Chiles has revealed he feels like “putting a black armband on” after learning that Harvey Barnes is heading back to parent club Leicester City.
It emerged on Friday morning that the Premier League club have activated the recall option in Barnes’ season-long loan at West Brom.
Chiles learned of the news while presenting his Chiles on Friday programme on Radio 5 Live and reacted with emotion and humour.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live on Friday, the presenter said: “I feel like putting a black armband on and playing the funeral march, because Leicester City have gone and flipping well recalled Harvey Barnes.
“If you’re challenging for promotion in the Championship and you’re not a West Brom supporter, this is a good day for you. He was often the difference for us – quick, skillful and your heart was filled with hope every time he got the ball, and now it has been just ripped away from us.
“I don’t need to hear about this in a bulletin while I’m on air live in the studio. I need someone to take me to one side off air and break it to me very gently.”
?"I feel like putting a black armband on"
Let just say Adrian Chiles is not happy with @LCFC recalling on-loan Harvey Barnes from West Brom.
#ChilesOnFriday pic.twitter.com/TtuWVoq4IH
— BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) January 11, 2019
OPINION
Along with fellow Black Country celebrity Frank Skinner, Chiles is one of West Brom’s two most well-known supporter. Like the comedian, Chiles is a lifelong and dyed-in-the-wool fan who follows all the club’s matches and makes no attempt to hide his fondness, often through black humour, for the Baggies. Along with most of the club’s fan base, Chiles is upset at West Brom losing the rising star of English football, who has made such a big impact since joining on loan at the start of the season. The attacking midfielder has been brilliant, scoring nine goals and eight assists from 28 matches for the promotion hopefuls and formed potent combinations with Jay Rodriguez, Dwight Gayle and company. Losing him is a massive blow for West Brom, although not an entirely unexpected one, given the potential he has shown. The onus is now on the Midlands big hitters to sign a replacement for Barnes and restore the faith of Chiles and company.