Case of mistaken identity for young Emile Heskey on Rod Hull and Emu show

Footage has surfaced on YouTube showing former Leicester City striker Emile Heskey appearing on the Rod Hull and Emu show.

The then 11-year-old is seen looking humiliated when a young presenter calls him "Emily", before he beats the competition on an assault course.

Emile, now 34, was on a team of three members of the 8th Leicester Boys Brigade who were competing against three other boys from Nottingham.

In the YouTube clip, a look of scorn appears on young Emile's face after a presenter called Kelly mispronounces his name.

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She is soon corrected by Rod, who is hosting the Emu Challenge with the show's "baddie", green witch Grotbags.

During his stint on the assault course, Emile, the last of his team to take part, sprints up to three hanging tyres and attempts to dive through one but gets stuck half way.

He extracts himself and steps through the tyres instead.

Emile then hurtles up to and over a cargo net-covered climbing frame, before grabbing a top hat from a pole and running to the finishing line.

After the contest, presenter Kelly is called over to apologise to the future football star for getting his name wrong.

Emile and his teammates are congratulated by Rod, who asks them which organisation they want to donate their £100 prize money.

Emile struggles to pronounce "Trinitarian Bible Society".

Rod replies: "Oh, really. That's a lovely cause.

"Perhaps you can put some money towards Kelly so she can learn to pronounce names properly."

The video has had nearly 50,000 views on the YouTube website.

Born in Leicester in 1978, Emile played for Ratby Groby Juniors in his youth.

He accepted a place at Leicester City's football academy when he was nine, making his debut for the club at the age of 17.

He played for Leicester City between 1994 and 2000, when he moved to Liverpool.

Since 2004, Emile has played for Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa.

He is now in Australia, where he is a striker for the Newcastle Jets.

Emile has made more than 500 appearances in his 18-year career.

He has appeared in England squads at various levels.

He played for the senior England team during a 1999 draw against Hungary and was recalled to the England squad for the Euro 2008 tournament.

Emile was not available yesterday to comment on his appearance on the children's television show.