Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling breaks down in tears on his penultimate Soccer Saturday
Jeff Stelling bursts into tears during his penultimate Soccer Saturday show on Sky Sports.
- Jeff Stelling announced in April that he is leaving Sky after almost 30 years
- On the penultimate Football Saturday, the effects of eating disorders were discussed
- Stelling couldn’t hold back the tears before going on an ad break
Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling burst into tears after speaking about the dangers of an eating disorder.
The 68-year-old announced in April that he would leave the broadcaster at the end of the season after almost 30 years.
Stelling presented his penultimate football Saturday when the program erupted into a talk about the impact of eating disorders on mental health.
Stelling revealed that more people die each year from eating disorders than from any other mental health disorder, and he couldn’t hold back tears before going on an ad break.
Speaking on the subject, he said, “This is a tough subject, it’s my penultimate show, so I’m going to have my last kind of diatribe if you will.” I have to be careful to do it right.
Jeff Stelling’s penultimate Soccer Saturday erupted into a talk about the consequences of eating disorders
The 68-year-old couldn’t hold back tears before the program was cut short for a break
“There was a march this morning, this relates to [anorexia sufferer] Abby Davies actually. There was a march in central London this morning by the people leading the ‘Dump The Scales’ campaign. It is led each year by the tireless Hope Virgo.
More people die each year from an eating disorder than from any other mental illness. The government’s lack of knowledge and funding is a national disgrace. They decided to put calories on people’s menus for God’s sake.
“Up to 20 percent of all eating disorder cases end in death and so the cycle goes. Abby said, ‘Boy, girl, woman, man, go for help, they’re told they’re not skinny enough, they’re not underweight enough to need treatment.
“They go away, they lose more weight, they go deeper and deeper into the mental quagmire they’re in. They have suicidal tendencies. They are then told ‘You are now too thin to be treated’ and are offered palliative care for God’s sake.
“So we’re not going to help you, but we’ll try to make sure you die comfortably. It’s 2023.
Eating disorders are swept under the rug. By 2023, no one should die from an eating disorder. People with an eating disorder need action and help, and they need it now.’
Stelling announced that he will be leaving Sky Sports and Soccer Saturday at the end of the season
The much-loved presenter has been the face of the weekly program for almost three decades
Stelling has been a mainstay of Soccer Saturday on Sky for nearly three decades, first joining the program in 1994 under the previous title Sports Saturday.
The legendary broadcaster initially quit Soccer Saturday in 2021 after insisting he leave at the end of that campaign, but the veteran broadcaster eventually returned for an additional season.
“I have been with Sky for over 30 years and have loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team,” said Stelling. Sky Sports in April.
Now is the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless tirades, bad jokes and over the top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals. It was a lot of fun – at least for me!
It’s marmot day, it’s that time of year, every year, when I announce I’m leaving Sky Sports and Gillette Soccer on Saturday. But this time it’s true.’
Sky Sports has yet to announce who will replace Stelling as host of Soccer Saturday.