Three people share the name David Platt, but most people only know one of them. Whether you’re looking up a retired footballer, an American pastor, or a soap character who has been on Coronation Street since 1990, this guide separates fact from confusion and tells you where each one is now.

Born (footballer): 10 June 1966 ·
First appearance (Coronation Street): 26 December 1990 ·
Lead pastor since: 2008 ·
Coaching career: 2004–2012

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth of the footballer and pastor
  • Future career plans of the footballer
  • Current personal life details of the pastor (wife, children)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Footbller: remains retired from playing; last coaching role in 2012
  • Pastor: continues leading McLean Bible Church and speaking
  • Character: ongoing role on Coronation Street

Four facts, one pattern: the name David Platt attaches to three completely separate public figures.

The table below shows how the three identities compare across key dimensions.

Label Value
Notable David Platts Three
Most searched Footballer and pastor
Common misconception They are the same person
Birth year range 1966 (footballer); pastor born 1978 (estimated)

What happened to David Platt the footballer?

David Platt the footballer was born in Chadderton, England, on 10 June 1966 (Wikipedia (biographical database)). He played as a midfielder for several clubs, including Aston Villa, Juventus, Sampdoria, and Arsenal. Platt scored a goal in the 1990 World Cup and earned 27 goals in 62 appearances for England.

  • Platt played for Aston Villa, Juventus, Sampdoria, Arsenal (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Scored goal in 1990 World Cup (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Coached England U21, Nottingham Forest, Plymouth Argyle (Wikipedia (biographical database))

Did David Platt play for Arsenal?

Yes, Platt joined Arsenal in 1995 and played for the club until 1998 (Wikipedia (biographical database)). He scored 13 goals in 87 appearances for the Gunners.

What teams did David Platt coach?

  • England U21 (2004–2007) (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Nottingham Forest (2008) (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Plymouth Argyle (2012) (Wikipedia (biographical database))

What is David Platt’s net worth?

Exact net worth figures are not publicly confirmed for the footballer. Estimates vary, but no verified source provides a definitive number.

Bottom line: David Platt the footballer retired from playing in the 2000s and last coached in 2012. His net worth remains unverified.

What teams did David Platt coach?

After retiring as a player, Platt moved into coaching. He managed England’s under-21 national team from 2004 to 2007 (Wikipedia (biographical database)). Later he managed Nottingham Forest in 2008 and Plymouth Argyle in 2012.

Where did David Platt coach after playing?

  • England U21 (2004–2007) (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Nottingham Forest (2008) (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Plymouth Argyle (2012) (Wikipedia (biographical database))

Is David Platt still coaching?

Platt has not held a coaching role since 2012. He currently works as a football pundit in the UK.

What to watch

Platt’s brief managerial stints at Nottingham Forest and Plymouth Argyle lasted less than a year each, a pattern that may explain why he has not returned to the dugout.

The implication: Platt’s coaching career ended abruptly, and he has not sought a return to management.

Who is David Platt from Coronation Street?

David Platt is a fictional character on the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, first appearing on 26 December 1990 (ITVX (Coronation Street official page)). He is played by actor Jack P. Shepherd.

What is David Platt’s role on Coronation Street?

Who plays David Platt?

The character is portrayed by actor Jack P. Shepherd, who has played the role continuously since the character’s debut in 1990 (ITVX (Coronation Street official page)).

The upshot

David Platt the Coronation Street character is the longest-running of the three Platts in the public eye, having been on screen for over 30 years. For soap fans, he is the David Platt who matters most.

The pattern: this fictional Platt has outlasted both real-life counterparts in continuous public visibility.

Who is David Platt the pastor?

David Platt (pastor) is an American evangelical Baptist pastor, author, and former president of the International Mission Board. He was born on 11 July 1978 (Wikipedia (biographical database)). He serves as lead pastor of McLean Bible Church in the Washington D.C. area (Radical.net (official ministry site)).

What church does David Platt pastor?

Platt is the lead pastor of McLean Bible Church, a large multi-site church in Virginia, a role he took on in 2008 (Radical.net (official ministry site)).

What is David Platt known for?

Bottom line: David Platt the pastor is a leading voice in American evangelicalism. His influence is strongest among younger Christians, but his tenure at the IMB drew both praise and scrutiny.

Where is David Platt now?

  • David Platt (footballer): Retired from playing, last coaching in 2012; now a pundit.
  • David Platt (pastor): Continues as lead pastor of McLean Bible Church and speaks through Radical.
  • David Platt (Coronation Street): Character still appears on Coronation Street, played by Jack P. Shepherd.

What is the current status of David Platt the footballer?

The footballer has not held a coaching role since 2012 and remains retired from professional football. He occasionally appears as a media pundit.

What is the current status of David Platt the pastor?

Platt continues to preach at McLean Bible Church and lead Radical. He stepped down as IMB president in 2018 and returned to pastoral ministry (Baptist News Global (Baptist news outlet)).

What is the current status of David Platt from Coronation Street?

The character remains a central figure on Coronation Street, with ongoing storylines involving his family.

The catch: each David Platt occupies a separate world, and none shows signs of crossing into another.

Timeline

  • — David Platt (footballer) born in Chadderton, England (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • — David Platt (Coronation Street) first appears on screen (ITVX (Coronation Street official page))
  • — David Platt (footballer) plays for Arsenal (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • — David Platt (footballer) manages England U21 (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • — David Platt (pastor) becomes lead pastor of McLean Bible Church (Radical.net (official ministry site))
  • — David Platt (footballer) last coaching role at Plymouth Argyle (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • — David Platt (pastor) steps down as IMB president, returns to McLean (Baptist News Global (Baptist news outlet))

The implication: the three David Platts operate in entirely separate spheres, and their timelines never overlap.

Confirmed facts

  • David Platt (footballer) born 10 June 1966
  • David Platt (pastor) is lead pastor of McLean Bible Church
  • David Platt (character) played by Jack P. Shepherd since 1990

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth of the footballer and pastor
  • Future career plans of the footballer
  • Current personal life details of the pastor (wife, children)

“David Platt is part of the Platt family, with Audrey Roberts as his grandmother.”

ITVX (Coronation Street official page)

“David Platt is the founder of Radical, an organization focused on making Jesus known among the nations.”

Radical.net (official ministry site)

The pattern across all three: each David Platt built a distinct public identity without overlap. For the reader searching “David Platt,” the key is knowing which one you mean — and now you can tell them apart.

For a deeper look at how one name can belong to three very different people, check out this David Platt disambiguation guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many David Platts are there?

Three notable ones: the English footballer, the American pastor, and the Coronation Street character.

Are the David Platts related?

No. They are three separate individuals who share the same name.

What is David Platt’s most famous achievement?

For the footballer, scoring in the 1990 World Cup. For the pastor, writing Radical. For the character, being a long-running soap figure.

Is David Platt the pastor on TV?

He occasionally appears in Christian media but is not a regular TV personality.

Does David Platt the footballer have children?

Yes, but details are private.

What is David Platt’s role in Coronation Street?

He is the son of Gail Platt, husband of Shona, and a central character in the soap.

Did David Platt the footballer win any trophies?

He won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 1998 and the UEFA Cup with Juventus in 1993.

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