WC fans hail Rooney's TV glow-up as they say he's lost 'loads of weight' after getting rid of beard

Football fans were full of praise for Wayne Rooney on Tuesday after the Manchester United icon appeared slim and fresh-faced on television.

Rooney, 40, was part of the BBC's team of pundits alongside Gael Clichy and Olivier Giroud last night as France ran out 3-1 victors over Senegal in New Jersey.

It came just days after the England star appeared to have jetted off to Marbella for a lavish holiday to celebrate his and Coleen Rooney's 18th wedding anniversary.

And it seems the trip to the continent has left Rooney feeling refreshed, as fans hailed the star's glow-up while he was on air last night.

One wrote: 'Is it me or has Rooney lost weight? Good on ya fella.'

'Is it me or does Rooney look noticeably thinner? Looks better clean shaven too,' another commented.

While one fan penned: 'Rooney looking proper healthy and noticeably lost loads of weight. Great to see.'

'Rooney must be working on his weight,' a viewer posted.

However one supporter joked that Rooney was unfortunate to have been sat next to Olivier Giroud, famous for his good looks, during the BBC's coverage.

'Got to feel a bit sorry for Wayne Rooney,' they joked. 'He's lost a bit of weight, had a trim... and then the BBC makes him sit next to Olivier Giroud.'

Ahead of the World Cup, Rooney also enjoyed a child-free trip to the plush island of Ibiza with Coleen, who showed off her tan in a bikini at Playa d'en Bossa.

The couple shared gushing tributes to each other as they celebrated 18 years of marriage, with the footballer writing: 'Happy anniversary @coleen_rooney. Where's them 18 years gone. Thanks for everything. Love you.'

Before, underneath her own pictures, Coleen penned: 'Happy anniversary @waynerooney 18 years.'

Yet Rooney's glow-up this week is perhaps surprising, given that in his 2012 autobiography he opened up about 'putting on a few pounds' after a holiday.

Writing about the summer of 2009 following United's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, he revealed: 'The first day back at pre-season training. I'm like most blokes, I put on a few pounds after a holiday.

'Even if I don't train for a week, I put on two or three, but when I get back to Carrington for the first day of work, I'm in for a shock.

'The scales in the club gym tell me I've put on a few more pounds than expected – seven. Seven! Then I remember – I drank a few bevvies while I was away.

'I'm stocky. I'm not like Ryan Giggs, all bone and lean muscle. But I gain weight quite easily.

'It's not a problem though. It's not as if the manager is leaning over my shoulder as the numbers come in, tutting and making jokes about me eating too many chip butties. Besides, I know I can shift it in a week or two.'