Jesse Lingard wants to become an ACTOR after he retires from football as he gets set for Forest home debut

JESSE LINGARD has made the shock revelation that he wants to be an ACTOR after he quits football.

Fans might find it difficult to picture J Lingz treading the boards as Hamlet or starring alongside Robert De Niro right now.

But the player is certainly not afraid of taking risks after he snubbed West Ham in favour of newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.

The former Manchester United and England star is set to be barracked by Hammers fans at the City Ground.

Some are even ready to throw fake money at the 29-year-old after he was branded a mercenary for choosing a lucrative switch to Forest which could see him trouser up to £150,000 a week.

He had been tipped to rejoin West Ham, where he enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell.

But Lingard has proven he is more than willing to play the pantomime villain, because he sees himself as a budding thespian.

: "I want things in place with my little one for when I finish football, so she has something to look up to and it's about what's next. I'd like to go into acting.

"I'm strong enough to deal with all that criticism now.

"I've been through a lot and it's always me that will try to break the mould and set the next thing up for the next generation.

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"I started the clothing brand the week before we played Liverpool, but we got a win in the week. I do my YouTube stuff, I have my media company and they're all things I enjoy.

"I love football, it's my passion, but when I finish I want to work on the next thing and my family can come into it when they're older."

Lingard claims he moved to Forest because they made him feel 'loved' and that he turned down better financial offers abroad.