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    Wayne Rooney bizarrely reveals he’s scared of FISH live on BBC during Brighton vs Nottingham Forest coverage

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    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney shared a surprise phobia during the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup.Rooney, 39, has been in the public eye since 2002 when he burst onto the scene with Everton at the age of 17.Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney confirmed he is afraid of fishCredit: BBCGary lineker made the revelation about Rooney while covering the FA CupCredit: PAMuch about the legendary striker and his life have been shared across the media over the last two decades, but no one was prepared for the latest revelation.Manchester United’s record goalscorer joined the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Brighton and Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium.The England legend linked up with Glenn Murray, Theo Walcott and famous host Gary Lineker.And it was during half-time when Lineker revealed Rooney is “scared of fish”Read More on Man UtdThe departing Match of the Day presenter said: “We still got a little time to talk, [and] what we did learn during that first half was that Wayne Rooney’s scared of fish.”The entire panel – including Rooney – immediately burst out laughing. Rooney tried to explain: “I just don’t like them…” And the ex-Everton star tried to set the record straight as he added: “It’s the big fish [Rooney is scared of].”Most read in FA CupThat was when Lineker made the obvious observation as the match coverage took place in Brighton: “We’re only three or four miles from the coast here.”This piece of information is especially surprising considering Rooney has two fishing lakes in the swanky mansion he shares with his family.Wayne Rooney furious at what Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo did before FA Cup tie The ex-Derby, DC United, Birmingham and Plymouth manager also made headlines before the game when he slammed Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo’s choice to leave key players out against Brighton. More

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      Emma Louise Jones launches ‘helpline for DM deviants’ as BBC presenter reads out inappropriate messages from fans

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      EMMA LOUISE JONES had fun making a serious point – by launching an Instagram helpline group for “DM deviants”.The popular sports presenter mocked fans who sent inappropriate messages – but offered advice on how they can improve their behaviour.Emma Louise Jones delivered a powerful messageCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en-gbThe broadcaster blended mockery with a more earnest noteCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en-gbThe social media star revealed some of the shocking stuff she has to deal with online, particularly in direct messages (DMs).And she won praise from her followers for the innovative way she has chosen to deal with it.With an office for her support group in the background, Jones posted a jokey video which she rounded off with words of wisdom.And some DMs she shared showed why she treats the matter gravely.READ MORE SPORT NEWSThe Leeds supporter, best known for her BBC and Raceday TV work, did end up admitting her new helpline was fake and just for fun.But she equally confirmed that her point was important, especially by sharing some DM examples.Jones opened the video by saying: “Very first DM helpline help group.”She then added the caption: “Introducing you all to the DM Helpline Help group.Most read in FootballShe’s previously also shared some of her rare wardrobe problemsCredit: Instagram / @eljonesukBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”A weekly session for all our DM deviants. Dave, Ian, Simon…See you next week. *This is not a real help group.”Next came a selection of the unwanted messages she gets.BBC presenter Emma Louise Jones stuns in low cut dress as she shows off ‘new talent’ to adoring fansOne read: “Can I lick ur m****”.Jones commented light-heartedly on the punctuation by saying: “It isn’t the lack of a question mark that is the issue.”She also joked that using m**** rather than vagina didn’t stop the message “still being inappropriate”.But after teasing the authors of those messages, Jones was then deadly earnest.She said: “Because we don’t send vulgar messages like this to women on the internet, you wouldn’t say it in real life.”And she finished the video with some advice.She added: “Next week we’re going to discuss why women don’t want to see your penis in their DMs.”In the meantime, get yourselves outside, touch some grass and stay off your phones.”Jones’ online fans believe she hit the right note with her presentation.One wrote: “Love this, you are a superstar Jones.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother added: “You’ve got a great way of doing this.”And a third wrote: “Well done Emma for putting your point across using wit and intelligence.”She wore this impressive outfit to horse racing at YorkCredit: INSTAGRAM @eljonesuk More

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      Becoming Match of the Day host was like finding out I was PREGNANT, says Kelly Cates as she reveals how she landed job

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      WHEN Kelly Cates was told she and Gabby Logan would become the first female Match Of The Day hosts in the show’s 60-year history, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But unfortunately for the new presenter, she was ordered by BBC bosses to keep quiet about her new role — a scenario which felt ­familiar to the mum of two. Kelly Cates wanted to shout with joy after making history as one of Match Of The Day’s first female hosts – but the BBC told her she’d need to keep it quietCredit: RexThe appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, above, was widely welcomed by the football worldCredit: AlamyKelly will be joining Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman and Gaby Roslin as the lead MOTD presenter teamCredit: PABecause, for Kelly, sitting on the enormous secret felt just like ­hiding a pregnancy. Speaking in depth for the first time about taking over from Gary Lineker next season, Kelly, 49, said: “I’m not good at secrets — it killed me! Genuinely, once the news was announced I could have slept for two days. “I found the stress of ­keeping it a secret so hard and even though it is a nice secret, it was a little bit like the early stages of pregnancy where you feel terrible that you can’t tell anybody. “It was awful lying to genuinely good friends. I hated it.” READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSKelly will be part of a new three-strong presenting team, alongside Gabby and Mark Chapman, both 51. And she is thrilled she can now share how she managed to land the biggest job in British sports broadcasting. An industry veteran of nearly 30 years, Kelly had been working for the BBC as part of 5 Live’s football coverage, as well as anchoring live games for Sky Sports, when she was called into a meeting by Beeb executives. ‘Ego-filled world’ It had been rumoured for some time that new BBC Director of Sport boss Alex Kay-Jelski wanted to shake up Match Of The Day, the world’s longest-running football highlights show. Most read in FootballBut Kelly had not bargained for being a part of his plans. Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, she explains: “I had the conversation early on but in very vague terms. ‘Won’t be able to look him in the eye’ – Christine Lampard and MOTD’s Kelly Cates in hysterics over ‘Frank’s hot sauce’“I was already doing radio for the BBC, already working on 5 Live so it was natural for me to have meetings when a new boss came in, and everything was being changed so that was quite natural. “But in the course of one of those meetings it was, ‘Well, we’re rethinking how we’re going to do Match Of The Day and would you be interested to be in the mix?’ Inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’Kelly Cates“And I was trying really hard to keep a ‘not bothered’ face, saying, ‘Yeah, that would be great’. “But inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’.” Kelly added: “And they were brilliant around the whole thing — trying to balance the two and the fact I can keep doing live football, which I think is really important because if you don’t do that you forget why you’re covering it, you forget about those big moments and what it is like.” It was only when Kelly’s new gig was officially unveiled in January that the enormity began to sink in. She added: “Suddenly friends of mine who don’t even like football were phoning me saying, ‘Oh my God, this is so exciting — congratulations’. I didn’t even think it would be on their radar. “They’re not in that sports world and then you realise something like Match Of The Day goes past all of that. It’s in people’s lives — it’s in the background.” The appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, along with Gabby and Mark — aka Chappers — was widely welcomed by the football world. All three are hugely respected figures within the industry and there was a general consensus they had done their time, working up the ranks and honing their craft over several decades. Kelly believes landing the gig came at the perfect time for all of the new line-up. She explains: “That was the big draw for the three of us. Kenny with wife Marina, Kelly and brother Paul in 1980Credit: Getty“To be in the mix with Chappers and Gabby, who I really like as people, first of all, but really admire as broadcasters as well . . . it’s just a really lovely group to be in. “People have this perception that it is a massive ego-filled world, and it is at times and you need a certain sort of ego to feel like you can do the job because you need a certain amount of confidence. “But you don’t want to be in a position where we’re all trying to scramble over each other. “The fact we’re all the same age, we’re at the same stage of our careers, we’ve all got other things outside of Match Of The Day that we’re all passionate about and really invested in, it means none of us are treading on each other and preying on each other’s insecurities. “We’re all really comfortable about who we are and where we are in our careers, so it really works for all of us. “We’re all at a stage in our lives as well where we want to spend time with our families. “We have kids of different ages and different things going on in our home lives as well. “It’s really nice to be able to keep all that in the mix.” Kelly’s grounding in sports broadcasting came in the early days of Sky Sports News, a rolling news channel launched in 2010. ‘Kicked up a fuss’ The female-heavy list of anchors, including Kirsty Gallacher, who is godmother to one of Kelly’s daughters, became synonymous with the channel. However, the presenters were often sexualised by viewers and when that attitude seeped into the brand marketing, Kelly was the one who put a stop to it. Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should beKelly on sexualisation of female sports presentersThe star has always taken her position as a role model for women in sport seriously. She explained: “It was seen as ‘fruit on the barrow’, where you would put your juiciest fruit on the barrow — there was that attitude to it. “But we didn’t feel like that from the inside. That was very much an external thing. “Then I remember there was an ad put out with four female Sky Sports News presenters on, saying ‘There’s always something worth watching on Sky Sports News’. “I remember it happened on the Sunday and I think by the Tuesday or Wednesday I’d gone into the office and said, ‘No. I get that this comes from the outside but don’t do that to us from the inside’. “Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should be’.” She added: “The reaction was they didn’t think I would be the person who came in and kicked up a fuss. “I was like, ‘That says something. If you think I’m easy-going and it upset me then you should probably read something into that’.” Kelly took an extended break from sports broadcasting to concentrate on bringing up her children. She returned to work in 2013 at Radio 5 Live where she hosted the station’s famous 606 football phone-in on Sundays alongside ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright. She later returned to Sky Sports to anchor live games and previously made history as the first female presenter on talkSPORT. Glasgow-born Kelly, whose brother Paul was a professional footballer for Newcastle, is now separated from Tom Cates, the father of her two daughters. Like most working mums, Kelly admits taking care of her career and their teenage daughters can be challenging. She added: “It’s juggling lots of diaries, and I’ve got a really good relationship with my ex-husband. “He’s great with the girls in terms of being flexible because we have to be around my job. “You just make it work. I’m really lucky — I have a great job. “People do this and work three jobs and are stressed about putting food on the table and heating the house. “Although it’s tricky to do everything and all problems are relative, it’s manageable.” READ MORE SUN STORIESSaturday nights are about to get a whole lot busier for Kelly. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Kelly will be one of the team taking over when Gary Lineker leaves MOTD at the end of the current seasonCredit: BBC More

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      I refused to let horror car crash that took my legs ruin me – now I’m world record holder, says Strictly’s Billy Monger

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      “BILLY MONGER . . . you are an Ironman.”Those words are still sinking in for a 25-year-old who has already beaten all odds to become a world-record holder.Billy Monger is a double-amputee after a shocking Formula 4 racing accident weeks before his 18th birthdayCredit: Simon JonesBilly training for the Ironman’s 112-mile bike ride across volcanic terrainCredit: Daniel Loveday/Comic ReliefThat’s a world-record holder in triathlon’s most gruelling event, the Kona Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.A 2.4-mile swim in jellyfish and shark-infested waters.A 112-mile bike ride in treacherous crosswinds across volcanic terrain. Then a marathon, 26.2miles of running.And, in case you hadn’t noticed, Billy is a double-amputee after losing one leg just below the knee and the other above the knee in a shocking Formula 4 racing accident weeks before his 18th birthday.Read more on Billy MongerBut his time of 14 hours, 23 minutes and 56 seconds smashed the world record for a double amputee by more than TWO HOURS.So was that drive always there, or was it his accident that changed him?Billy, who was raising money for Comic Relief, says: “I remember after my accident being like, ‘I’m the same 17, 18-year-old kid that I always was, wanting to be a Formula One world champion’.“There’s no getting away from it, that does affect things. You do have to grow up quicker.Most read in Athletics“Learning to deal with that adversity all of a sudden, other adversity you face in your life doesn’t seem that daunting.”So the jellyfish stings suffered on the swim are now something you just brush off?Cheryl praises inspirational racer Billy Monger’s fundraising in rare TV appearance“Yeah, well, that is what it is really!”In the brilliant film of his year of training, Billy can even joke with his coaches about sharks not being interested in him as they’d be better off chasing someone with legs.I don’t think Billy looks at things in a “normal” way, but that’s probably because he’s not normal. And that’s far from an insult and nothing to do with him being an amputee.He adds: “Because of the accident, I’m more curious about what I’m still capable of.“I don’t want to go, ‘Oh well, this bad thing happened to me, so I’m just gonna feel negative about it’.‘About to pass out’“If I did that, it’s quite obvious what my life would look like and I didn’t really fancy a piece of that.”Instead, he fancied a piece of Hawaii — not grass-skirts and sunshine but 14-plus hours of endurance racing.He says: “It’s seen to be the hardest Ironman, so looking back, I was a bit nuts for signing up.”Because of the accident, I’m more curious about what I’m still capable ofBillyHe had done only “a bit of doggy-paddle for rehab” and had not run more than 5km without pain before the training started.It is normally a four-year plan for an Ironman. Billy did it in one.His journey before is just as remarkable.Billy had been on the road to F1 as a prodigiously talented and dedicated karting racer before the horror crash at Donington Park in 2017.Billy put in hundreds of hours of trainingCredit: 2024 Comic ReliefBilly in 2017 after his horror crash at Donington ParkCredit: Rex FeaturesBut since then he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special, BBC’s Race Across The World and covers F1 for Channel 4.Billy’s previous Comic Relief challenge, a 140-mile walking, kayaking and cycling trip across the UK in 2021, raised £3.2million.But an Ironman? Kona?!“Mad, isn’t it?” he says, reflecting on going from learning to walk as a double amputee to competing in a world championship triathlon. “But one step at a time.”His steps included needing four different sets of prosthetics, “eight spare legs”.Modest as well, he even blushes when you compliment him.But there is such a steely determination in his eyes, perhaps he always knew he would complete it?“No way,” he says. “I feared not getting across that line plenty of times.Get to race day knowing you’ve done all you can. Be the best version of yourself and that’s all that mattersBilly“To train for something like that, you have to shape every decision around your training.”Billy did the vast majority of his hundreds of hours of training alone and stump health was a serious concern, despite having a prosthetics specialist on hand.Put simply, sores and blisters from pressure and rubbing on his legs could put him back in a wheelchair for weeks, meaning no chance of getting to Kona.Even after all the hundreds of hours’ training, there were still doubts during the event.He says: “My body was doing things that I’d never seen it do before. Then you see someone passed out on the side of the road and it just adds to that anticipation.“The shaking, the ‘Am I about to pass out here?’.”But after a year dedicated to helping others, he wasn’t about to quit.He adds: “I didn’t want to let other people down.“The message was, get to race day knowing you’ve done all you can. Be the best version of yourself and that’s all that matters.”Billy barely remembers the moment the PA announcer screamed “You are an Ironman” at the finish, seconds before he collapsed into the hoardings.Fuel for the fire“But he can now watch it back time and time again as he is forever an Ironman. The Iron Monger, if you will.But Billy still doesn’t feel like this challenge is complete as it is all to raise money for Comic Relief and the community projects the charity supports, such as running clubs, food banks and care centres that Billy visited during his epic year.I ask if it has sunk in, what he and his family have achieved?He replies: “In ways it has, but in ways it hasn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Comic Relief and Red Nose Day on Friday was the fuel for the fire, so it feels like the job is only half done.” More

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      Ex-England and Gladiators star John Fashanu arrested on suspicion of ‘five crimes’ as he sues cops for £100k

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      EX-ENGLAND and Gladiators star John Fashanu was arrested on suspicion of “five crimes” and is suing cops for a whopping £100,000.The 62-year-old is on bail after getting apprehended over a land dispute, reports claim.Wimbledon Goalscorer John Fashanu (c) celebrates his goal with team mates Vinnie Jones (l) and Dennis Wise during the FA Cup 5th Round matchCredit: GettyPresenters John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson on GladiatorsCredit: RexJohn Fashanu attends the UK Premiere of ‘The Lone Ranger’ at Odeon Leicester Square in 2013Credit: Getty – ContributorFashanu is suspected of criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence in Nigeria, where the star now resides.The former footballer vehemently denies the claims, and is suing cops for an eye-watering £100,000 compensation, the Mirror reports.He accuses the police of violating his rights by wrongly arresting him, his wife Vivian and his lawyer Chinyere Chigbu over what he argues is a civil dispute involving land.Some investors reportedly agreed to pay Fashanu over £500,000 for the 22-acre site before the drama unfolded.read more sportAfter discovering the investors had sent their workmen to build a perimeter fence on the site, the star and his lawyer began to investigate.He alleged that they found the fence workmen being bizarrely protected by cops and were both arrested after agreeing to go to the police station to sort out the issue.Fashanu accused them of “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for “about three hours” on December 16.He added that there were “subsequent intermittent constraints” of his “personal liberty” up to December 19.Most read in Football His wife Vivian was also wrong arrested, he alleged, after she went to the police station with him.Fashanu also alleged he suffered “gross unconstitutional violation” of his rights after cops took away his mobile phone.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upThe former footballer, nicknamed Fash the Bash, helped Wimbledon win the 1988 FA Cup and played for Aston Villa and won two England caps.Fashanu was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and retained dual British and Nigerian citizenship due to his dad being born there.He has lived in the capital Abuja for a number of years and has become a prominent name in the country due to his successful career as a footballer and work with the Nigerian FA and the government.Fashanu’s brother, Justin, was Britain’s first openly gay footballer and the first Black £1 million player before his tragic death in 1998 at 37 years old.Earlier in March, Fashanu appeared at a hearing of Abuja’s Federal High Court where the case was adjourned by a judge until April 10.The former footballer’s lawyer Chinyere Chigbu said of the court case: “The court granted the adjournment to give all the respondents enough time to file their counter affidavit. “It will allow them enough time to properly file their response.”The lawyer also confirmed that himself and the Fashanu’s are on bail after their arrests.He added: “All three have perfected their bail conditions. “They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFashanu filed the case against 12 defendants in the documents.These include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police and police service commission, naming Abuja’s police commissioner, deputy commissioner, chief superintendent and deputy superintendent.John Fashanu attends ‘Dancing On Ice’ in 2023Credit: Getty More

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      BBC Sport make major change to when Premier League highlights will be shown in move that will impact Match of the Day

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      THE BBC will show Premier League highlights much earlier on Saturday nights – amid a shake-up of their weekend football coverage.Presenters like Alan Shearer, Joe Hart and Alex Scott were among 200 people at a summit at Gary Neville’s Hotel Football to discuss changes.Gary Lineker is departing MOTD at the end of the seasonCredit: ReutersAlex Scott is one of three presenters replacing LinekerCredit: GettyThe Mail say from next season a new TV deal means highlights and analysis from Saturday action will be available from 8pm online and via the iPlayer.Flagship show Match of the Day will escape much of the Beeb’s revamp – apart from the long-known exit of Gary Lineker as host after 26 years.Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will instead share the MOTD helm from 2025-26.It’s understood the hotel meeting heard the programme will stick to its tried and tested format of highlights and pundits’ assessments.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNonetheless, BBC chairman Samir Shah has hinted that won’t last for too much longer.The Manchester United fan told the Times MOTD “should not be built around highlights”.Shah added: “It should be built around analysis and examination of the match to give viewers a deeper insight.” But Saturday lunchtime programme Football Focus WILL get an overhaul next term.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe hotel summit, headed by BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, was told the pre-match show would get a sharper edge.That includes players facing tougher interviews, with more sparring between pundits and fewer softer features.’I don’t like it’ – Gary Lineker has wild reaction after spotting ex-Match of the Day star at Baller League launchThe announcements came a day after the BBC offered voluntary redundancy to most of the staff in their sports department.That’s seen as part of a move towards focusing more on online output. More

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      MOTD pundit makes embarrassing blunder live on BBC that leaves Lineker ‘corpsing with laughter’ – did you spot it?

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      JOE HART made a subtle error while appearing on Match of the Day as a pundit at the weekend, leaving Gary Lineker and Micah Richards in stitches.The 37-year-old was a guest pundit on Saturday’s edition of the Premier League highlights show.Joe Hart left Gary Lineker and Micah Richards in stitches with a bizarre piece of analysis on MOTDCredit: https://x.com/BBCMOTDLineker revealed he was copying and speaking to the directorCredit: https://x.com/BBCMOTDBut when discussing Brighton’s clash with Fulham he stunned his colleagues with a small mistake.During his analysis of Jan Paul van Hecke’s equaliser, he said: “What a great header that is.”He’s got a clean run. Yeah, you’re right. It’s a heck of a header, that.”Both Lineker and Richards burst into laughter before the former revealed that Hart was just agreeing with the director giving him instructions behind-the-scenes.Read More in FootballThe ex-goalkeeper responded: “I’m having conversations in my head!”Lineker discussed the incident further in Monday’s episode of The Rest is Football podcast.He explained: “There was a wonderful moment, I don’t know whether you saw it Alan but it was brilliant.”Micah and myself were almost corpsing with laughter because he’s doing his analysis and Joe was going through his bits.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets”Van Hecke scored and Jamie (the editor) said, ‘oh that was a heck of a header,’ and Joe answered him, he was in his ear and he went, ‘yes it was.'”Micah and myself, because we hear the same feed in our ears, you know the gallery talking, and it was so funny.”BBC viewers spot bonkers MOTD editing blunder as Tyrone Mings is in two places at once Richards went on to say: “It was a brilliant moment.”The duo then referenced the slip-up again later in the episode, with Lineker saying: “There was a really good header, wasn’t there, Micah? from Van Hecke.”Ex-Manchester City star Richards responded: “It was a heck of a header!”And Lineker joked: “It was a heck of a header. ‘Yes it was, yes it was.'”It comes after BBC chairman Samir Shah revealed that he believes Match of the Day should not be about football highlights.He told The Times: “[Match of the Day] should not be built around highlights.”It should be built around analysis and examination of the match to give viewers a deeper insight.”Furious supporters have urged him not to mess with the 61-year-old format and ex-boss Harry Redknapp, 78, said: “It’s not a talk show. People tune in because they want to watch the football.”I know it’s different to the old days, when it was the only way to see football on TV, but you still want to see what’s happened, not listen to someone telling you why.”Meanwhile, the Sun’s head of sport Shaun Custis hit back: “There is a misconception that everyone has seen the goals before Match of the Day. People do have lives, they aren’t watching football all day on Saturday.”We’re already drowning in analysis. Nobody down the pub talks about expected goals, transitions and goal involvements.”And many people I know record MoTD and fast- forward through the analysis just to watch the matches.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMotD is already in line for a summer make-over when long-time host Gary Lineker steps aside after 26 years.Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates will take over. More

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      Major broadcast change as BBC makes huge football event previously shown on Sky Sports free-to-air

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      THE BBC has agreed a new deal that will see Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland matches shown on free-to-air television from the upcoming international break.All three teams are set to battle it out for a place at next summer’s World Cup over the coming months.The BBC has announced a new deal that will see Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland games broadcast on free-to-air TVCredit: ReutersScotland games have been behind a paywall for over 15 yearsCredit: PAThe Irish FA praised the ‘new chapter’Credit: PacemakerAnd for the first time in over two decades, every fixture will be shown on free-to-air TV across the United Kingdom.The BBC has reached an agreement with Uefa allowing 41 matches to be shown live across its channels.The deal also includes at least two international friendlies and Scotland’s Nations League play-off with Greece later this month.It is the first time the BBC has secured full live rights for all three nations.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRhodri Talfan Davies, director of BBC Nations, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that fans across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will now be able to enjoy live, free-to-air coverage of all the big international football matches.”Nothing fires the imagination more than live international sport and the race to qualify for the world’s biggest tournament.”It’s going to be quite a ride and I’m thrilled the BBC will be there every step of the way.”This month will mark the first time a Wales qualifier is broadcast on free-to-air TV since 2004.Most read in FootballFAW CEO Noel Mooney revealed: “As we approach an exciting World Cup qualification campaign with Craig Bellamy at the helm, the Football Association of Wales is looking forward to working with BBC Cymru Wales, on their free-to-air coverage of the Cymru men’s national team.”It’s fantastic that every Welsh fan will be able to watch our matches for free via the BBC’s fantastic coverage.”England manager Thomas Tuchel reacts to Three Lions’ World Cup 2026 qualifying drawMeanwhile, Scotland fixtures have largely been placed behind a paywall for over 15 years – aside from a few shown on YouTube recently.And as for Northern Ireland, the team’s last two fixtures in November were not televised at all.On the new deal, Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said: “We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with BBC NI to promote our domestic game across radio, TV and online.”This is a new chapter which builds on this foundation, and we hope to share more success following the journey of this exciting senior men’s team.”With Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales fixtures to be shown live on the BBC, England’s fixtures will remain on ITV.The broadcaster took over the rights from Channel 4 in September.That means the new BBC deal will not impact coverage of the Three Lions.READ MORE SUN STORIESPreviously, some international games have been broadcast on Sky Sports.And in recent years the rights have been held by Premier Sports.Live matches shown on the BBC in MarchThursday, 20 March – Greece v Scotland (Nations League)Friday, 21 March – Northern Ireland v Switzerland (friendly)Saturday, 22 March – Wales v Kazakhstan (World Cup qualifier)Sunday, 23 March – Scotland v Greece (Nations League)Tuesday, 25 March – Sweden v Northern Ireland (friendly), North Macedonia v Wales (World Cup qualifier) More

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      ‘Nobody wants to throw the baby out with the bath water’ – Gabby Logan’s bizarre hint about new-look Match of the Day

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      GABBY Logan used an old turn of phrase to promise that Match of the Day will NOT radically change from next season.Logan, 51, will team up with Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates to host the BBC’s flagship football show, with Lineker stepping down from the role after 26 years in the hotseat.Gabby Logan has vowed fans that Match of the Day ‘won’t be totally different’ in the futureCredit: AlamyKelly Cates (left), Mark Chapman (centre) and Logan have teamed up to host the BBC’s flagship football show from the start of next season, with Gary Lineker stepping down after 26 yearsCredit: PAGary Lineker will step down from the BBC flagship show in MayCates, Chapman, and Logan are set to split presenting duties for Match of the Day and the Sunday show between the three of them.Lineker’s quitting statement said the Beeb planned to make changes when its new contract for the rights to Premier League football began in August.But, despite the end of an era, Logan has vowed that the content of the show will stay the same.Logan told the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast: “We’ve all presented the show before as stand ins.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”But it will feel very exciting at the start of next season. It won’t be totally different.”Nobody wants to throw the baby out with the bath water. It’s a football highlights show, we’ve got the same kind of pundit.”And it’s all about the football.”The idiom is a warning against accidentally throwing away something good when discarding something else.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLogan also revealed the lengths to which she and her co-hosts went to keep the news a secret ahead of January’s official announcement.The former Sky Sports presenter was forced to keep it from her closest pals and family, only husband Kenny being told.’New MOTD host’ Gabby Logan’s live TV interview with Liverpool boss Arne Slot ends awkwardly She explained: “I didn’t even tell my mum. I set up a group chat and called it ‘The Match of the Day three’.”And there were disappearing messages as Chappers [Chapman] was really paranoid about this. The only person I told was Kenny!”Logan was not the only one to keep her new position secret. New colleague Cates also kept it to herself, with even Dad Kenny Dalglish kept in the dark.They will become the show’s first permanent female presenters.Logan said broadcasting was a “completely different landscape” for women working in sport, both in front of and behind the camera, since she started her career.She added: “There are now so many great male and female broadcasters.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But also, so many more females working in sports, not just in front of the camera or the microphone, but also behind the scenes.”The BBC have confirmed that Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will continue as pundits of Match of the Day next season. More