Frank Skinner reveals modest amount he made from Three Lions hit

19th August 2026 - 1:42 pm

Frank Skinner has revealed how much he made from Three Lions despite the song reaching number one four times.

The comedian discussed the hit with Heart Scotland Breakfast presenters Des, Adele and Grado while appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Grado pointed out that Three Lions had been playing across the charts and questioned why Skinner was performing at the Fringe instead of enjoying the song’s success.

Skinner replied: “Well you would if you knew anything about streaming.”

He explained that the amount he has earned from the song has been far less than he expected when it was released in the 1990s.

Skinner said: “I’ve made a few bob in my career make no mistake, but it’s not been from Three Lions. I reckon my total, it’s been number one four times, I’ve made about £80,000.”

The revelation surprised Grado, who asked whether Skinner had been treated unfairly when the song was originally released.

Skinner responded: “Occasionally, what’s the point of celebrity.”

Grado then asked whether David Baddiel had received all the money from the song, with Skinner explaining how the songwriting royalties were divided between the team behind the track.

He said: “I’m hoping he only got the same as me, Ian Broudie got twice as much as us as he wrote the music and we shared the words.”

Skinner admitted that the financial reality had been very different from what he imagined when Three Lions became a number one record.

He added: “Believe me, I thought if you had a number one record you’d be a multi-millionaire but…”

Three Lions, performed by Skinner and Baddiel with the Lightning Seeds, was originally released in 1996 and became closely associated with England football.

Grado also gave Skinner a compliment from a Scottish perspective, telling him: “Even as a Scotsman, it’s a catchy song.”

Skinner replied: “That’s very nice of you to say!”