Jermaine Jenas has revealed what his former Tottenham team-mate Gareth Bale used to eat ahead of games.

Jenas, 40, spent eight years with Spurs from 2005 to 2013 which overlapped with Bale's time at the club between 2007 to 2013.

During that period, Bale transformed from a promising youngster struggling to get gametime to one of the best players in the Premier League, earning himself a world record £85.3m transfer to Real Madrid.

And, during TNT Sports' coverage of Brighton's 0-0 draw with Wolves on Monday - during which Jenas' co-commentator Adam Summerton noted how Brighton star Pascal Gross has rice, chicken and olive oil, along with some Weetabix ahead of each game - Jenas opened up on Bale's strange routine.

'The only meal I remember looking at and thinking why and how was Gareth Bale,' he said.

'He used to have like five slices of toast and a mountain of baked beans. I tried it once, it didn't go well for me.'

During the aforementioned period at Spurs, along with his form on the pitch transforming, Bale also changed from a skinny youngster to a hugely athletic and ripped star of the game.

Bale has previously admitted he was a 'chocoholic' during his playing days, while also revealing his favourite meal is egg and chips.

Jenas also went onto add what his usual eating habits were ahead of games, given the attempt to copy Bale's diet didn't work.

'It was difficult for me to eat (before games),' he added.

'I used to have a big bowl of cereal and I think I drank a lot of Lucozade. Night games were much easier with pasta and chicken.'

Bale initially excelled at Real Madrid, before falling out of favour during the latter years of his time at the club.

He spent a spell back at Tottenham on loan during the 2020-21 season, before moving on to LAFC in 2022.

In January last year, after he played for Wales at their first World Cup in 64 years, Bale announced his retirement from the game.