EXCLUSIVE: Simon Thomas wins race to replace Jeff Stelling as host of Sky Sports’ flagship Soccer Saturday show… with former Blue Peter presenter to be announced next week
- Jeff Stelling stops Sky Sport’s iconic Soccer Saturday program after 25 years
- Simon Thomas is expected to be named as his replacement next week
- The presenter beat the competition from Caroline Barker and Jules Warren
Former Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas has won the race to replace Jeff Stelling as host of Sky Sport’s iconic results service Soccer Saturday.
Mail Sport has learned that Sky is preparing to announce Thomas’s appointment next week, after he beat off competition from fellow Sky presenters Caroline Barker and Jules Warren.
Thomas has big boots to replace Stelling, who fronted Soccer Saturday for 25 years before retiring at the end of last season, but will be a popular appointment with viewers and colleagues alike.
The 50-year-old was previously one of Sky’s main Premier League presenters before stepping down from the role after the tragic death of his wife six years ago to take care of his family and then build a successful freelance career.
Thomas spent six years presenting Blue Peter before joining Sky, initially working largely for Sky Sports News.
Simon Thomas is appointed as the new host of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday
It comes after Jeff Stelling stepped down from the role after hosting the iconic results show for 25 years
Martin Tyler (left) and Geoff Shreeves (right) are yet another iconic names who have now left Sky
After six years with the company, the Norwich City fan was tasked with presenting Sky’s Football League and League Cup coverage in 2011 before getting Premier League fixtures three years later.
Thomas’ first show as host of Soccer Saturday will take place in three weeks’ time on the first day of the Football League season on August 5, before the Premier League returns the following week. A spokesman for Sky declined to comment.
Sky have endured a tumultuous summer in their sports department after laying off six of their football reporting team and parting ways with many of their highest-profile stars.
In addition to Stelling veteran commentator Martin Tyler, expert Graeme Souness and sideline reporter Geoff Shreeves have also announced their departures.