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Jeff Stelling won’t return to television until next year

Published 10:37 25 Jun 2023 BST

Updated 10:38 25 Jun 2023 BST

Callum Boyle

Jeff Stelling won’t return to television until next year

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Stelling recently left Sky Sports after 30 years.

Jeff Stelling will be unable to return to our television screens until next year at the earliest after being placed on gardening leave by Sky Sports. Stelling left his role as the host of Soccer Saturday after 30 years in the seat following the final game of the Premier League season. The 68-year-old had initially planned to step down the year before but performed a U-turn to remain as the host for one more year. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1671858679212023811 After confirming his departure, he said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team. “It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals. It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!” Earlier this week, reports said that Stelling is in talks with the BBC and Amazon Prime over broadcasting roles. As of 2024, Amazon will stream Champions League matches after they agreed a three-year deal with UEFA last year. They will share the rights with TNT Sports, formerly known as BT Sport after UEFA gave up their exclusivity rights.

Sky have also yet to confirm who will replace Stelling as the host of Soccer Saturday. Jules Breach and Adam Smith are said to be the current leading candidates for the position. A number of other broadcasters are also set to leave Sky Sports, with Guy Havord, Dickie Davis, Bianca Westwood, Greg Whelen and Jaydee Dyer all expected to take redundancy packages after being told to reapply for their jobs. Sky has also yet to confirm who will replace Stelling as the host of Soccer Saturday. Jules Breach and Adam Smith are said to be the current leading candidates for the position.