Simon Thomas, the new host of Sky Sports’ iconic results service Soccer Saturday, found a new fan base in Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds when he first took over the helm of the show.
The Deadpool actor filmed a personalized message for Mr Thomas wishing him luck in his new role, but offered to fight it out later after learning the pundit is a Norwich fan.
The ex-Blue Peter host replaces Jeff Stelling in the hot seat after 25 years and humbly admitted that he’ll be “happy if he only does half the job” that the legendary host did during his time on the show.
It came on the same day that Reynolds club Wrexham played their first League Two game after being promoted to the top four in football for the first time in 15 years.
Reynolds invited his ‘frenemy’ Hugh Jackson to watch the game with co-owner Rob McElhenney, and he sent the special message to Mr. Thomas from the club’s stands.
Ryan Reynolds told Thomas that Hugh Jackman is also a Norwich fan, and joked that they could work it out later
Thomas first headed the program after Jeff Stelling’s 25-year tenure ended
Simon Thomas made his debut as the new main presenter of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday this afternoon
It comes after Jeff Stelling stepped down from the role after hosting the iconic results show for 25 years
Reynolds said, “Good luck on your first day Simon. I hear you’re a Norwich fan.
‘Brought Hugh Jackman today, who also loves Norwich, so you’ve got company. We’ll be happy to fight it out later.’
Thomas looked excited as the camera panned back to the studio and said, “My job is done. Couldn’t be better, huh?’
He added that Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob McElhenney had messaged him but ‘we couldn’t broadcast it’ because it was ‘a bit naughty’.
A smiling Hugh Jackman reunited with co-star and ‘frenemy’ Ryan Reynolds as they watched Wrexham’s first game in the English Football League on Saturday.
The Wolverine actor, 54, joined fellow movie star Reynolds, 46, as his football team fell to a 3-5 home defeat to MK Dons at The Racecourse Ground in Wales after being promoted to League Two in April.
The actors, who star in the upcoming Deadpool 3, are currently on strike over the SAG/AFTRA labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Reynolds and Jackman are known to be involved in a fake feud believed to have its roots in their co-starring in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Thomas first introduced the program to his new role, referring to the “big boots” he had to fill this season.
He told viewers: “It’s a new season, we have new managers, new players and there’s a bit of a new feeling, as you may have seen on Soccer Saturday.
“We have a new studio, a new look, but hopefully everything you still love about this great show.
Now before we go any further I want to say this, in the last few weeks one or two people have been saying “you’ve got some pretty big boots to fill”.
Reynolds and Jackman take a selfie with young football fans during the Wrexham game
Footie time! Hugh Jackman, 54, joined Ryan Reynolds, 46, in Wrexham’s first match in the EFL on Saturday
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“I didn’t bring the boots today. I brought my own shoes, a nice comfortable pair of leather brown shoes size 10.
“But I want to say this, it’s an absolute honor to take on the role of host of this quite brilliant show and if I can do even half the job that legend Jeff Stelling has done over the past 25 years, then I did something. right.’
The camera then panned out to reveal the new modern studio as Thomas introduced his opening show panel; Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Neil Lennon, Sue Smith and Michael Dawson.
Thomas’ appointment will undoubtedly appeal to colleagues and fans. The 50-year-old was formerly one of Sky’s main Premier League presenters before stepping down from the role six years ago following the tragic death of his wife.
He faced stiff competition from fellow Sky presenters Caroline Barker and Jules Warren to secure the role and seems to be settling in well as the new host.