'Nobody is acting' - Arsenal legend Thierry Henry rubbishes suggestion he 'puts on a face' for CBS Sports' Champions League show alongside Kate Scott, Micah Richards & Jamie Carragher

The production, which keeps audiences entertained in the United States while elite club competition in Europe takes centre stage, has attracted an ever-growing fan base. That is due in no small part to the on-screen chemistry that has been built up between popular host Scott and her collection of pundits.

Arsenal legend Henry fills the role of big brother on the CBS panel, with Liverpool great Carragher the “annoying middle child who will say anything for attention” and ex-Manchester City defender Richards the excitable younger sibling.

Champions League nights can get slightly chaotic, with Richards and Co taking great pleasure in giving French side Brest as much exposure as possible, but Henry insists that nobody is playing a part. The World Cup winner has told The Athletic: “The main thing is that it is us. It is really us. People think I am putting on a face, but that is how I am. That is me. The most important thing is that we are friends. Nobody is acting.”

The show’s producer, Matt Curtis, added on that subject: “If people are guarded, if they’re worried about how long they have to talk or what happens if they mess up, there is an air of tension. Hopefully we’ve taken that away from them. We’ve tried to create an environment where they feel comfortable being themselves.”

While Henry and Co are encouraged to have fun, Richards is eager to point out that the CBS crew do take their work seriously. He said: “The perception is based on the clips. It is a bit disheartening that people think we’re just messing around. I find it quite disrespectful, especially to an aspiring coach like Thierry. Some of his analysis is mind-blowing.”

Ex-France international Henry said of not being as boisterous as his fellow pundits: “For me, when you talk about the game, you talk about the game. People need to understand what is happening. But I know I can be boring with that. If you watch a game with me at home, you will hate it. I pause it all the time. But the show has helped me see it in a different way. You can entertain and educate at the same time.”

The Champions League will be back for the final round of group stage fixtures on Wednesday, with all 36 teams in action. There is still plenty to play for with top-eight finishes and qualification for the last-16 play-offs up for grabs.