Fans have been left thrilled with Jeff Stelling set to take new a job role in what will be a ‘huge coup’ for the broadcaster.
The 68 year old is the front-runner to take over from Laura Woods on talkSPORT’s breakfast show, and the news has gone down well as it broke on social media.
He previously hinted he wouldn’t disappear for too long, since stepping down as Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host at the end of last season following 25 years in the role.
SPORTS AGENDA: Jeff Stelling is set to succeed Laura Woods as host of talkSPORT’s breakfast show
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) July 16, 2023
MailOnline report that he is close to agreeing a deal with Alan Brazil expected to stay on to continue presenting on Thursdays and Fridays.
Jeff would come in and do Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
It had been said that he was in talks with Amazon and the BBC over a return to broadcasting.
He has no plans to retire, though was placed on gardening leave until December.
Stelling also made a one-off Countdown comeback in June as a dictionary corner special guest.
He is also touring the country with evening talks about him, his life, his career and no doubt some brilliant stories with Bianca Westwood hosting…
Former talkSPORT host Laura Woods will have it busy from this week as she leads the ITV team for their coverage of the women’s World Cup and then looks to replace BT Spot presenter Jake Humphrey on TNT.
Woods said: “It’s been, genuinely, the hardest decision of my life. I really don’t say that lightly. For now, no more 3am alarms, which is just wonderful. But one thing is for sure is that I wanted to make you know that I’ll always be a part of this family. I will pop back whenever I can. I adore you all. Thank you.
“I’m going to have a holiday, a long sleep and I’ll make a decision on what’s next for me. So again, I can’t say it enough, thank you. Thank you, everyone, for having me. I’ll really miss you.
“I know, I’ve seen a lot of articles, but I haven’t signed anything,” she told The Sun in early July on rumours linking her with a move to TNT. “There are a couple of offers, but I’ve got a glorious month off now where I can sit down and start planning the next things.
“I don’t want to rush into anything, I’ve never been able to have that privilege in my life before. Never. I have always been 100 miles per hour in my career. I used to have this work ethic of taking absolutely everything because I knew that it would teach me something.
“I didn’t care what it was, I would do it, and it was brilliant. It definitely got me where I am now. But now, I have earned the right to take a step back and think: ‘What is right for me next?'”
Ally McCoist, he often appeared alongside Laura Woods on talkSPORT breakfast, will also join TNT next season, which will please viewers as he’s a much loved pundit/commentator. It’s yet to be known how much that will affect his time with the radio station, Amazon Prime, Sky and ITV.
SEE MORE: Geoff Shreeves quits Sky Sports after rejecting pay cut and considers other offers
More changes ahead of next season sees Simon Thomas replace Jeff Stelling while Mike Dean also joins Sky Sports to give insight from match officials, as Soccer Saturday returns on the 5th of August.
Thomas said via Twitter on Sunday (16 July): “Well here’s something I never ever expected to be saying – but next season I will be the new host of the iconic @SkySports #GilletteSoccerSaturday.
“Ever since I stepped away from Sky in 2018 to look after Ethan after we lost his Mum; rebuilding my career has not always been easy. But Sky always said the door would be open for me to come back; but this was never the door I expected to open.
“Lots of people have said I have some very big shoes to fill – but I don’t. @JeffStelling is a one off. An absolute master of his craft. Incomparable. All I can be is myself, and be the best I possibly can.
“This is a huge moment for me and my family and a massive honour to be trusted with such a well loved and respected program. It also feels incredibly special to be fully coming back to the @SkySports family, who all those years ago believed in me after leaving Blue Peter.
“also just want to say thank you to my wonderful wife @DerrinaThomas for always believing in me and my family and friends for always having my back. See you on August 5th!”
BREAKING! Simon Thomas will be the new Gillette Soccer Saturday presenter from the start of the 2023/24 football season. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/OPGO5yxeEr
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 16, 2023
As mentioned, fans have been left thrilled with Jeff Stelling set to take new job role in a ‘huge coup’ for the broadcaster…
@_arrongallagher: About time they had someone on like this, be no more down talking the north east
@SteveCorbett64: Laura was superb, irreplaceable perhaps – but Jeff Sterling is different gravy. Well done @talkSPORT if this is true. Jeff is a legend 👏👏🙌
@joshboyle22: Best move @talkSPORT will ever do! A whole new audience will now join to listen daily/weekly. Great business. 🙌🏻
@jaymeeteewhu98: If it’s true than that’s a huge W imo
@Jon_Chalk1: An absolutely massive upgrade for me. Far less giggling, much more gravitas.
@officialboetie: That will be brilliant
@Andy_Slater792: Great! Now just get rid of Gabby and all we be good 👌🏼
@Liam_856: Great news, no problem with her. She did do a great job but tbh it was like listening to Arsenal am
@Brady1892: That’s a huge scoop for Talksport to be fair
@ethan173882: Talksport on the up
@D_W_NUFC: Get in that will be brilliant 👏
@paulftonks15: Finally some good news. No giggling and talking non stop Arsenal.
@LeePear40013899: Hope to is comes off, was worried with who they would draft in but this would be brill
@wuds100: Didn’t see this coming, Talksport becoming the old Sky but a great move for them.
@douglas1_craig: Class. Ally and Jeff will be tremendous.
@IrishBrian30: Talksport just gone up a notch.
@ScottEaglen: If this is true I swear to god it’s made my YEAR 😍
@kinzeh_: Jeff’s back
@leQPR23: What a signing
@Nathanc18: I can fully get behind this!!!
@guywells94: That’s more like it!
@liam_hedgecock: What a replacement 👏
@Steady2192: Brilliant news this!
@zakw91: What an upgrade
@AndyParsons0603: Great news, not been the same without @laura_woodsy starting the week, Jeff will be a more than capable replacement
@ScottEaglen:
Talk about a shake up next season.
– talkSPORT mornings hosted by Jeff Stelling
– Champions League on TNT with Laura Woods and Ally McCoist
– Soccer Saturday hosted by Simon Thomas
– Super Sunday with comms from Peter Drury
Now, just got to get Clive Tyldesley in somewhere 🙏🏼
@barclay1988: So it looks like Jeff Stelling will be taking over from Laura Woods on talkSPORT breakfast. Genuinely didn’t see that one coming, but could be a great fit. #JeffStelling
@RikkiAldridge: Jeff Stelling on talksport breakfast. Class!
@SeanAFCGunner: Fantastic recruitment by Talksport. Was gutted when Laura Woods left, but Jeff is a great replacement 👏👏👏
@cherrybear86: Absolute Win 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@TonyTCClark: Surely Stelling can do better than talkSPORT!!
@marjon71: Worth a listen then
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