Football fans across the UK have been eagerly awaiting the big reveal – the new host of Sky Sports’ beloved show, ‘Soccer Saturday’. This thrilling weekend fixture has been a staple for football enthusiasts for years, with its unique blend of commentary, analysis, and hearty banter. But with Jeff Stelling, the legendary host, hanging up his boots at the end of last season, the question has been, who could possibly fill his shoes?
The suspense has been high as names of potential successors swirled about. Fellow Sky presenters, Jules Warren and Caroline Barker, were among the hot favourites. Yet, the boots of Stelling, who presided over the Soccer Saturday desk with humour and insight for three decades, are big ones to fill. The announcement was to be a significant one, setting the tone for the much-loved show’s future.
According to the Daily Mail, Simon Thomas, the former Blue Peter presenter, is destined to take up the mantle. The news is expected to be officially confirmed in the coming week. At 50, Thomas had stepped away from full-time broadcasting six years ago, following the heartbreaking death of his wife, Gemma, who tragically passed away mere days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
A Norwich lad, Thomas paused his 18-year broadcasting career to take care of his young son. He’d left his role as Sky’s lead football presenter, later returning to the broadcasting world as a freelancer across various channels. Now, he’s back in the big league, stepping into the hot seat on Soccer Saturday.
It’s a welcome return to Sky Sports for Thomas, who’s been in television for over two decades. Jeff Stelling’s departure last May had caused a stir, with rumours suggesting that he was in talks with Amazon and the BBC over a possible return to broadcasting. However, any return would have to wait until at least next year, as the 68-year-old is on gardening leave until December.
With budget cuts hitting other Sky Sports broadcasts, and even seeing the axing of Soccer AM, it’s been a period of change for the broadcaster. John Fendley, the host of the beloved show, announced his departure, with legendary commentators Martin Tyler and Geoff Shreeves also stepping away. Their replacements? Peter Drury and six fresh-faced reporters.
In the midst of all these changes, one thing remains certain: Soccer Saturday will continue to bring the best of the weekend’s football right to the living rooms of fans across the UK, now with Simon Thomas leading the line-up. It’s a new era, but the goal remains to deliver top-notch football analysis with the banter we all love.