Laura Woods burst into tears live as she announced her departure from talkSPORT’s Breakfast Show.
Woods – who has hosted the flagship show for three years – informed talkSPORT listeners that she would be leaving during Wednesday’s show.
The 35-year-old confirmed she would be making her final appearance on Wednesday, June 28 before thanking her fans and colleagues for their support over the years.
However, Woods was overcome with emotion and burst into tears as she discussed her time on the show – saying she was “so lucky to spend her mornings talking about sports.”
The broadcaster was also teary-eyed when Ally McCoist praised her for making him feel like he was 18 again’ before insisting they would be ‘good friends forever’.
Laura Woods will step down from her role as talkSPORT’s breakfast show host on June 28
Woods burst into tears when she announced her departure from the Breakfast Show
Woods began her announcement by saying, “I have news for our dear listeners. So, here goes.
“Of course, as you know, I’ve been a listener for what feels like a lifetime and I got the job reviewing the paper for Alan Brazil in 2017. It was 30 minutes a week and I loved it. It was the most exciting moment of my career and I loved it.’
Woods began to choke when she said, “I’ve been here for six years now, and talkSPORT has been my home for six years. I’ve been so lucky to spend all my mornings here talking about sports.’
The radio host had to pause and wave her hands in the air to keep from crying before continuing: “Obviously I love it, it’s just great, isn’t it. So basically I’ve been trying to write this for a while and write down all the words, but it’s been really hard.
“But I’ve decided it’s time to move on. Today is my last show in two weeks.’
Woods continued, “You, our listeners, have given me so much comfort and guided me through some of my most difficult moments, without even realizing it. So I want to personally thank you for that. I will miss it very much. Even the Spurs fans.
“For what feels like a lifetime I have been a talkSPORT listener. For the past six years it has been my home, where we spend our mornings talking sports. There’s nothing better. I know I will never find such a job. It’s unique.
‘Three years as presenter of this great breakfast show, three pieces of silverware for the trophy cabinet and record listening figures. I am very proud of what we have achieved here. One thing is certain: I will always be part of this family at talkSPORT.”
Woods went on to personally thank McCoist, saying, “Ally, I especially wanted to say to you that I really feel like I won the lottery to work as closely with you as we did.”
“When the whole world talks about one sporting event, you and I just sit in these chairs and talk about it with each other. That has been the privilege of my life.
“I don’t think you’ll ever really know how much I’ve learned just watching you and just being around you. All that natural warmth you have, and humour.
“You make me feel like a kid watching A Question of Sport, in awe of you. That happens regularly.
“You are the epitome of super. You are just everything super. Thank you for always bringing out the best in me, Ally McCoist.
“I don’t think I’d be anywhere near the broadcaster I am today if you didn’t hold my hand sincerely.”
Woods ended by saying, “No more 3am alarms for now, which is just great. But one thing is certain: I just wanted to let you know that I will always be a part of this family. I will pop back when I can. I adore you all. Thank you.
“I’m going on vacation, have a long sleep and I’ll make a decision about what’s next for me. So again, I can’t say it enough, thank you. Thank you everyone for having me. I will really miss you.’
Woods’ witty rapport with her co-hosts, such as Ally McCoist (right), endeared her to millions
Woods is in the running to replace outgoing BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey (above)
However, the real waterworks came when Ally McCoist paid tribute to Woods and thanked her for making him feel “18” again.
McCoist said, “I know I speak for everyone through that window over there and for all the listeners, Laura. It was an absolute pleasure. I can’t tell you how much I loved it. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I love you dearly, I know everyone behind that window loves you dearly.
“You’ve been an absolute breath of fresh air. You made me feel 18 again in the nicest way possible and then I feel 84 on a Thursday when I work with [Alan] Brazil. But you made me feel 18 [again].
“There was something inevitable about it, dare I say it, because we all knew you were going to other places and you’d keep moving north.”
More to follow…