Mike Dean admits there is a 'touch of arrogance' in the way he officiates matches claiming his 'showman' style is only a reflection of how he enjoys the game.
The experienced Premier League referee opened up in an interview on Peter Crouch's podcast over many aspects of a referee's typical experience on and off the pitch.
Dean has become one of the most recognised match officials in recent years and the 51-year-old has become known for his unorthodox actions during a match including how he dodges the ball while in play, and even 'celebrating' goals.
After Mousa Dembele had scored for Tottenham in a game against Aston Villa, Dean was seen running back towards the centre-circle with arm out as if he was celebrating, but when asked what was the most 'Mike Dean' thing he had ever done, he reflected with a tinge of embarrassment over the goal in 2015.
'Probably the stupid Tottenham vs Aston Villa advantage about four years ago. I’ve played on and you don’t play on when it’s in the box because its either a pen or you don’t do nothing.
'When it’s gone in the back of the net I’ve just gone "that will do me" but I've pointed to the centre circle but didn't realise I was doing it that much until it showed it on the screen and one official said "have a look at the TV".
'I thought "f****** hell, we are going to get a bit of a bollocking tomorrow I think!" That's the most bizarre thing I have ever done.
'I walk out, without being arrogant - there is a touch of arrogance and I know there is - but it’s also a lot of confidence in myself because I believe in my ability.
'I do come across like a showman. If the ball comes towards me I will let it go through my legs, I love a stepover. I love what I do and the way I referee. it kind of comes out I enjoy what I do. I've had this the past 10 years.'
Dean has also shown his exuberance off the pitch with a famous clip showing him cheering wildly among the crowd of his beloved Tranmere Rovers as a spectator.
When asked "have you ever sang the referee’s a w*****?" he admits even he can get carried away with the old terrace chant before touching on if he is a massive Tranmere fan following the famous clip of him cheering on the League One side.
'I have a few times yeah, I have a few times! When I’m watching it, I’m watching it as a supporter. My daughter is worse than me. Without a shadow of a doubt [I understand what it’s like from the fan’s perspective]. I know when I’m having a bad game.
‘{i'm a] Massive [fan], yeah… massive. I just lost it to be fair, completely lost it. When I go and watch them away from home, I won’t sit in the main stand away from them, I’ll go in with the speccys (spectators) and watch it there.’
While also admitting next season could be his last in the Premier League, citing his fitness demands, Dean also reflected on his career before he became a full-time official.
The 51-year-old once worked at a chicken factory where he admits to having to kill 140,000 of them a day alongside working as a part-time referee.
'I worked in a chicken factory for 16 years, worked on the shop floor dealing with the insides of a bird. Then I moved up to the supervisor at the business end where they came in and we had to kill them.
'On one shift we ended up killing 140,000 chickens a day. I was doing refereeing anyway like local stuff and I would do both jobs. I would start in the factory at 6am do my shift until 2am, go home get my bag drive to wherever, go and referee and get up again at 3am and straight back into work at 5am.'