JEFF STELLING has revealed how he was left in shock after a call from a music megastar ahead of his Soccer Saturday exit.
The much-loved Hartlepool-supporting presenter revealed last month that he was leaving his role on the popular football show.
The 68-year-old took the hotseat for the final time in his 29-year stint to call the action from a dramatic final day of the Premier League season this afternoon.
Stelling paid tribute to his current colleagues Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd and Michael Dawson after they gave him a standing ovation.
And as he thanked his former colleagues, as well as the fans for watching Soccer Saturday over the years, he then revealed all about receiving a call from one of the biggest names on the entire planet earlier this week.
Stelling said: “Thanks for the applause. But this is tricky because I’ve changed my mind.
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“It’s fantastic to see the people we’ve all worked with over the years. The likes of Alan Mullery and Clive Allen as well as all of the old gang.
“I’ve had some fantastic messages – Gordon Strachan texted me this morning, Neil Warnock, Kammy [Chris Kamara] of course.
“Elton John rang me this week. I was starstruck when Elton John rang me at home to say thank you so much for all you’ve done.
“And he said: ‘Every week you tell me Watford are losing, and every week you tell me Hartlepool are losing so I feel like we’re kindred spirits’.”
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Stelling then added: “It’s a team game, right from the people in the call centres who take your calls to the runners, the production team, the people behind the cameras.
“Everyone I’ve worked with over the past 30 years I’d like to thank you for that.
“It’s not just on this show, I just want to mention the people on the winning post, the horse racing paper I worked on for many years.
“Times of Our Lives which I adored doing. The live snooker, darts, greyhound racing, pool. It’s been absolutely wonderful. It’s been the best job anyone could wish for.
“The principal success is you lot at home. Soccer Saturday will be back and I’ll be watching – when Hartlepool are not playing.”
Sky bosses are yet to confirm Stelling’s replacement.
Adam Smith has emerged as a serious contender to land the Soccer Saturday gig for next season.
While Julian Warren and Mark Chapman were interviewed for the role last year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
