Sky Sports

GARY NEVILLE was left baffled after Ian Wright revealed the bizarre secret behind his success as a pundit.The Arsenal and Manchester United legends had a few battles on the pitch during their heyday but are now colleagues on Sky Bet’s The Overlap podcast.Ian Wright revealed a key secret that helps him with his punditry workCredit: YouTubeThe Arsenal legend then showed off the black stress mechanism object he holdsNeville is a regular on Sky Sports, while Wright will leave his role working on Match of the Day this summer.However, he also works for ITV, the channel he was on duty for in Man United’s thrilling 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday.Neville watched the game on television from home, but he revealed that he noticed something about Wright for the very first time. Speaking on The Overlap, Neville said: “I was watching the game on Sunday, and before the game, I said to my wife and daughter, ‘what’s he got in his hand?’ It’ll be a pen…”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWright then intervened and said: “I have a real problem. Notice how I’ve been able to sit still with this in my hand. Without this in my hand, I can’t sit still.”Neville reaches over and asks for a look at the small black object before asking if it is a “stress mechanism” – to which Wright confirms it is.“I have to touch my face, I’m all over the place and looking for stuff. But when I’ve got that then I’m able to just have it in my hand and concentrate.“I try to hide it but it makes me very calm and chill.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERRoy Keane, who was also in the ITV studio at the weekend, then tongue-in-cheekily joked that Wright did not have it when he made the controversial FA Cup semi-final draw.Neville then said: “That didn’t feel right at the end, you pulling it out like a Marks and Spencer’s bag.” ‘That didn’t feel right,’ says Gary Neville as Ian Wright opens up on FA Cup draw ‘fix’ claimsWright replied: “Do you know how many people got crazy over that?“It’s only four balls in. I think people were a little bit upset about the fact that we didn’t know who was one, two, three and four.“But the main thing is they’re so stringent on ‘Don’t look in the bag, make sure the bag is tight before you open it so you’re not looking’.“In the end people say ‘What is he doing the Stevie Wonder for?’ I wasn’t doing Stevie Wonder. I was just making sure I wasn’t looking in like this [moves his head away] and it looked like Stevie Wonder.“But I didn’t want people to say ‘Ah, that draw was wrong’.“Still people slaughtered you, but I thought it was a great draw.”There is no evidence to substantiate claims the draw was fixed.Gary Neville was left baffled after spotting it watching ITV on Sunday More

BIANCA WESTWOOD created history by becoming the first female Soccer Saturday match reporter – but she was initially told she was not attractive enough for the job.The reporter spent more than 22 years at Sky Sports before quitting last summer.Bianca Westwood was initially told she was not attractive enough by Sky SportsCredit: RexShe ended up working for the broadcaster as a reporter for more than 22 yearsCredit: INSTAGRAM @biancawestwood[embedded content]Westwood joined talkSPORT but reflects well on the time she spent travelling around the country reporting on matches for Soccer Saturday.She is incredibly proud she created history by becoming the first female reporter on the show, particularly as she almost missed out.Westwood explained on The Business Excellence Channel: “When I did a screen test, many years ago, I was told I wasn’t attractive enough for Sky Sports News.”And part of me was like, why do I have to be attractive… because there’s some unattractive men on there.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But also, I thought I wasn’t too bad looking. At that time I was told there has to be a certain type of symmetry to your face as a woman, and I didn’t have that.”It’s interesting that years later I ended up in a box with just my face… And it didn’t matter that one eyebrow was higher than the other!”Westwood now fulfils a similar role at talkSPORT where it is her voice which takes centre stage, rather than her appearance.She revealed she was “buzzing” to start her new job after a long and fulfilling career with Sky Sports.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWestwood announced her resignation saying: “A bit like when I did my first match report, I didn’t want to make a fuss but I’ve had so many messages and questions about where I’ll be today I thought I might as well let you know.”I haven’t quite made enough money to retire unfortunately, but I am retiring from Sky Sports & Soccer Saturday. It’s been a phenomenal 22-and-a-half years and I’ve been a small part of building the channel into the giant of broadcasting it is today. What a ride!Soccer Saturday legend Jeff Stelling in sensational blast at Sky Sports after blunder over ‘biggest story of the day'”Being the first female match reporter on Soccer Saturday is something I’m immensely proud of & that can never be taken away from me. I’ve covered hundreds & hundreds of games, I’ve interviewed hundreds of players & managers.”I’ve watched hours & hours of football. Years of experience (I said what I said!) that will live with me forever. For the most part, it’s been a blast. I’m grateful to you the viewers for watching over the years & for all your support.”To those I’ve worked with who’ve been a big part of my life at Sky, you know who you are, thanks for the memories. On to the next chapter. Buzzing for it.” More