Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas is set to replace Jeff Stelling as the host of iconic programme Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.
Stelling confirmed in April that he was calling time on his stellar career at Sky after U-turning on a decision to retire last year. Stelling has been at Sky for more than 30 years and fronted their popular results show for over 25 years. At the end of the 2022/23 campaign, Stelling hosted his final Soccer Saturday show in what was an emotional occasion for him and his colleagues.
Whilst fans might be keen to see him return as soon as possible, Stelling is currently on gardening leave from the broadcaster and is not likely to return to our TV screens until at least the end of 2023. However it appears that the successor to his role on Soccer Saturday.
Thomas – a former Blue Peter presenter over six years – is one of the broadcaster’s most popular presenters with a report in the Mail claiming he has edged out strong competition from his colleagues Caroline Barker and Jules Warren.
The 50-year-old previously made the decision to step back from full-time broadcasting six years ago after his wife Gemma tragically died just days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. He has been freelancing in the years since, with frequent appearances on Sky.
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At the time of Stelling's announcement of his departure, Thomas wrote on his social media channels: “Tomorrow a remarkable era of sports broadcasting comes to an end. Wishing @JeffStelling every good wish for his final afternoon on #SoccerSaturday. He’s been an absolute master of his craft for 25 years & deserves his place amongst the legends of sports broadcasting.”
Thomas has been freelancing in recent years but has frequently appeared on SkyThe popular presenter also recently suggested on his LinkedIn account that, after many years of freelance work, he was eyeing a more permanent position: “I've quickly learnt that being freelance in broadcast is not for the faint hearted.
“One minute you can feel on top of the world wondering how you're going to fit everything in; next you're feeling that uncomfortable anxiety pondering where the next gig is going to come from. Is the rainy day fund going to run dry?
“Part of me loves the excitement of the unknown; the not knowing what might come next; but perhaps a bigger part of me craves a return to the days of a decent degree of certainty.”
Upon confirming his decision at the end of April, Stelling said: “It is Groundhog Day, that time of the year when I announce that I am leaving Sky Sports and Gillette Soccer Saturday.
Stelling stepped down at the end of last season (Getty Images)“This time it is true. After 30 fantastic years on Sky, you lot out there have supported me, as have Sky, but it’s time to give you a break from all the VAR rants and bad gags and over the top celebrations when Hartlepool score a goal and give someone else the chance to do this fantastic job.
“So I’ll be leaving on May 28th, we’ve got a few programs between now and then, this is the last six hour Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday… so we’d better get on with it!”
The Sky Sports icon was treated to an impromptu round of applause from the studio guests covering that weekend’s games, including show stalwart Paul Merson, after he made his announcement shortly after the 3pm fixtures had kicked off.
Stelling had announced back in October 2021 that he was planning to walk away at the end of the 2021/22 season. But he later revealed that the outpouring of support from people urging him to reconsider eventually led to him deciding to backtrack on his initial decision.
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