Sky Sports

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas says he wanted to ‘let go of life’ in emotional interview about death of his wife

      by

      FORMER Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas has opened up on the experience of losing his wife to cancer and how God helped him pull through. The Premier League host’s wife Gemma died at the age of 40 just four days after receiving an acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosis. 
      Simon Thomas has opened up on the death of his first wife GemmaCredit: TikTok / @streams.studio
      Gemma died suddenly due to cancerCredit: Instagram / @simonthomastv
      Thomas has since re-marriedCredit: Instagram / @simonthomastv
      Thomas was left to care for his young son Ethan and consequently took a step back from life in front of the camera.
      Gemma’s sudden death left Thomas at rock bottom but in an inspirational interview he highlights how he kept going, re-found his faith and went on to find love again in new wife Derrina Jebb.
      Thomas spoke to Streams Studio, saying: “We went from Monday night with her being diagnosed with a blood cancer of some sort. For a couple of days, things were looking OK, the treatment was going well but then things just cartwheeled out of control. 
      “On the Friday she falls unconscious and by 8:30 on Friday morning I’m being told by a consultant ‘she’s not going to see out the day’.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “The very foundations on which your life has been built are trembling, there’s a massive life earthquake going on.
      “And by 5.45pm on that Friday in November 2017 at the age of 40, with an eight-year-old son and a husband, she’s gone. 
      “The first thing I did when I came out of that hospital was I just sank to my knees and shouted at God: ‘Why? Why, why, why? Why’ve you left my boy without a mum, I don’t get it, I don’t get you God’.”
      Thomas opened up on the anger he had towards his religion and how he collapsed to his knees at Gemma’s funeral before being picked up by a friend and a peaceful service occurred as he remembered good moments.
      Most read in Football
      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
      However, Thomas was still struggling, saying: “I remember on the Saturday morning after funeral waking up as low as I’d ever been.
      “I walked out of the house in my dressing gown and sat on this tree right by the River Thames at the end of the garden in Reading where we lived at the time. 
      “I felt like I was just in this fog of grief and pain and I leant up against this tree and it was only a brief moment, but this moment came when I felt this darkness so inescapable and so oppressive that I thought ‘I can’t do it. I cannot do this, I’m not cut out for this grief.
      “I’m not cut out for being strong enough to navigate my boy through the next few years, and I just wanted to roll into the Thames. I kind of just wanted to let go of life for a minute. 
      “Thankfully, two things happened. I got an image of Ethan and I thought ‘I can’t, he’s just lost his mum.’
      “But the most powerful thing that happened, was I looked to my left and had this really strong sense that there was someone sat there, and I could see the image of this man who was just looking at me, saying nothing.
      “I could just see him weeping and then he was gone. To this day, I believe, and it felt so strong at that time, that that was Jesus sat alongside me.
      “I felt like Jesus right there in that moment was saying ‘I understand, I’ve been there. I know what this feels like, I am going to walk you through this.’
      “I remember feeling this surge of strength coming through me and I thought ‘I’ve got to get up, I’m going to walk back to the house, and I’m not giving up.'”
      Thomas explained that he thought life would never be good again before remembering God gives second chances.
      His opportunity for happiness came in the form of his new partner Derrina, who tied the knot in 2021 and have had a daughter named Talitha.
      Thomas says: “To see how God has brought love into my life again with Derrina has been the biggest surprise but just an amazing blessing.
      “I never thought someone would love me, way too much baggage. And yet he has brought restoration in terms of love. 
      “And now to have a daughter, who came through a really difficult premature period, and to see God at work in that situation, how he cared for her, cared for Derrina, cared for us as a family, and brought us through. 
      Read More on The Sun
      “God is the God of second chances, God is the God who rebuilds lives, who brings restoration out of wreckage and that’s been the story of my life for the last five years.”
      Thomas now works for Amazon Prime Video and campaigns to raise awareness for blood cancer, the fifth most common cancer in the country.
      Ex-Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas says he wanted to ‘let go of life’ in emotional interview about death of his wifeCredit: TikTok / @streams.studio More

    • 288 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      I was one of Sky Sports F1’s biggest names before brutal sacking… I still have no idea why they got rid of me

      by

      JOHNNY HERBERT has revealed he has no idea why Sky Sports decided to sack him from their F1 presenting team after 11 years.Herbert joined the broadcaster during the 2012 season when it won the rights to show the F1 action in the UK.
      Johnny Herbert was a central figure in the Sky Sports F1 commentary teamCredit: Getty
      The pundit raced in Formula 1 himselfCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He became a central figure in the coverage of the sport, often reminiscing about his own time in Formula One with teams like Jaguar and Sauber.
      However, Sky Sports decided to axe him from the commentary team two months before this year’s coverage started, along with fellow pundit and former driver Paul di Resta.
      Both were at the end of their respective contracts but were not offered extensions.
      It was speculated that cost-cutting was behind Sky Sports’ decision not to have the two back.
      READ MORE IN F1
      Herbert posted a photo of the Sky Sports F1 team to Instagram to confirm his departure from the broadcaster.
      It was captioned: “Going to miss this team.”
      Speaking to The Mirror, Herbert has now revealed that he still doesn’t know why the broadcaster decided against renewing his contract.
      He said: “I didn’t decide to step away – I thought everything was going ahead!
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “And then I got a call in December, I think it was, when I was told things were changing.
      “It wasn’t really explained why or what was changing. There was a mention of social media stuff and that was about it, really. I really don’t know.
      “I was always aware – at Sky they do these subscriber checks where you’re given points out of 10 – and I’ve always known I was always quite popular on that side.
      “It’s a shame, but I’m over it. Moving on.”
      Herbert is now presenting his own podcast called Lift the Lid, which he co-hosts with fellow racer Billy Monger.
      The two give their opinions on current F1 stories, and were brought together through their own near-fatal crashes.
      Herbert said about the podcast “This is great to do with Billy, for example.
      “There are other opportunities out there, once again just proving that if you work hard you can find different avenues to carry on being involved in the sport we love.
      “So there’s other things going on, which is fine.
      “Yes, it’s disappointing, but I’ve moved on.”
      The 58-year old added that he didn’t think he would be returning to TV screens this season.
      He added: “I did my 11 years at Sky and it was good. Now there are other things I am doing.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Because it was in December it was all quite late in terms of sorting other things out.
      “There are a lot of other opportunities but, in terms of seeing me on a TV screen, there’s probably nothing planned on that front.”
      Herbert posted that he’d miss the team after he was axed
      Herbert now co-hosts a podcast with former British F4 racer Billy Monger, who suffered a horrific crash in 2017Credit: PA More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a Sky Sports presenter and Roy Keane is easy to work with but I panicked after making Man Utd joke

      by

      SKY SPORTS presenter Kelly Cates admits she “panicked” about a joke at Manchester United’s expense following their 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.Cates, 47, mocked Gary Neville as she brought to a close coverage of Liverpool’s huge victory at Anfield last month, making fun of the Red Devils legend’s earlier claim that the hosts hadn’t even played that well.
      Kelly Cates has been hailed as one of the best presenters in the businessCredit: Rex
      Cates mocked Gary Neville with her closing remarks after Man Utd’s loss to LiverpoolCredit: Sky Sports
      She said: “They’ve beaten Manchester United 7-0, it’s a record for this fixture, Mo Salah is now Liverpool’s record Premier League goalscorer… and they didn’t even play that well.”
      It was a clear dig at Neville, but Cates, the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, was left concerned in the aftermath as she felt people may see it as a criticism of Man Utd.
      Speaking to The Telegraph about her hilarious sign-off, she said: “If I’d thought about it I wouldn’t have done it.
      “I panicked after I said it, that it sounded like a joke aimed at Manchester United.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “It wasn’t, it was very much a joke aimed at Gary.”
      Cates insists Roy Keane took the mockery in good faith as he remained quiet in the studio, while Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness picked Neville apart.
      But Neville could not resist biting back at Cates after her closing remarks, saying: “You are live on Liverpool TV,” before being cut off as the broadcast ended.
      Discussing the atmosphere in the studio, Cates added: “The energy in the studio was all a bit giddy but Roy was doing what he always says other people should do, he was just taking his medicine.”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      Cates also talked about the challenge of working with so many big characters – the likes of Neville, Carragher, Souness, Keane and Micah Richards.
      But she has revealed she actually prefers to be on screen with the more opinionated pundits.
      She said: “Oh, it’s easy, it’s much easier. You want somebody who’s interesting, in the same way that the viewer wants to hear someone interesting.
      “You don’t need to draw them out at all, that’s when I’m having to work a bit harder.” More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      BT Sport scrapping hugely popular show and top presenters could face axe as they join rivals Sky in cuts

      by

      BT SPORT is scrapping its popular Score football show on Saturday afternoons.From next season the channel will replace the seven-year-old programme, which is presented by Jules Breach and Darrell Currie, with new coverage as it rebrands as TNT after being taken over.
      Jules Breach presents the Score football showCredit: Rex
      Darrell Currie is Jules’ co-presenter on Score
      Regular pundit Chris Sutton has been informed of the decision to discontinue the showCredit: Getty
      Robbie Savage also features regularlyCredit: Getty
      The show can attract one million viewersCredit: BT Sport
      On-screen stars – including Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage – have been told of the shock move.
      But anger has brewed after production staff working behind the scenes have not been put on formal notice.
      SunSport understands a number of production crew could face the axe including on-screen talent as part of the new joint venture between BT and Warner Bros Discovery.
      A spokesperson for Warner Bros Discovery Sports said: “Editorial reviews are undertaken as a matter of course in preparation for every new season.

      “For next season, this includes considering the programming that will continue, as the channel becomes TNT Sports, and as part of the line-up supporting the same live sport fans enjoy on BT Sport today.
      “As part of this process, we have confirmed to staff that BT Sport Score will not be continuing next season.”
      A source told The Sun : “It was very awkward on set because the on-screen presenters were aware that Score has been kicked into touch next season.
      “Everyone is in shock because Score has held its own and established itself against rival Saturday afternoon broadcasts on Sky Sports and BBC One.”
      Most read in Football
      Prem clashes on Saturday lunchtime on BT Sport can attract around one million viewers – with the majority continuing to tune in for Score as goals go in around the country.
      The changes to programming come as the new joint venture is busy deciding on its content for next season and where best to invest.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The channel is also switching studios from its current base in Stratford, East London, to a new smaller hub in Stockley Park near Heathrow, west of the capital.
      A source said: “Fans next season enjoying live Premier League games on Saturday lunchtimes are not then going to stick around to watch something else.
      “It’s a strange move to say the least. There is bound to be a clamour for Score’s presenters and in-studio guests, with a lot of celebs on other channels now looking over their shoulder.”

      Presenting roles face a major shake-up as more than 200 employees who moved over to Warner Bros Discovery as part of BT Sports’ joint venture last year were told jobs will be dissolved.
      Gutted workers will have to apply for another job at Warner Bros Discovery if they wish to stay.
      Those who do not find a new role will be given redundancy, and the majority of those at risk are based at BT Sport’s base in Stratford, now that its lease has expired.
      Warner Bros Discovery has stated that new roles have been created by the joint venture, and that BT Sport employees will be given priority for these vacancies.
      Read More on The Sun
      The cancellation of the Score show comes just weeks after Sky Sports announced Soccer AM will be axed at the end of the season.
      The show has run for 30 years but will be cancelled and replaced by Saturday Social, which will focus more on the social media side of football. More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      3pm blackout set to STAY as EFL reveal preferred bidder for new TV rights deal

      by

      SKY SPORTS have seen off the challenge of streaming service DAZN and other broadcast rivals to retain the rights to show live EFL football.EFL bosses are looking to almost double their current £119m per season deal.
      The 3pm blackout looks set to remain in place in EnglandCredit: Getty
      Streaming giant DAZN said it planned to screen all 1656 EFL games each season and seek to end the Saturday 3pm blackout.
      Despite that bid, and other offers understood to have been made by Viaplay and TNT Sports – the new name for BT Sport – Sky is the first choice of the EFL.
      A final deal is yet to be confirmed although it is understood that Sky intends to screen more matches than the 138 games shown in the current five-year deal that runs out at the end of next season.
      In a statement, league chiefs said: “The EFL has now completed a full and comprehensive review of the multiple submissions received as part of its broadcast rights sales process from 2024 onwards.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “The League will now enter into an exclusive month-long negotiating period with the preferred bidder, Sky Sports.
      “No further comment will be made on this matter at the current time.”
      The news will be a blow for DAZN, part-owned by Anthony Joshua, which felt it had made a significantly competitive and ground-breaking offer.
      But assuming an agreement is found over the next month, the news will bring a sigh of relief to Sky bosses.
      Most read in EFL
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      It was reported last week that EFL bosses are looking to increase the current package to £200m plus, a huge potential financial lifeline for struggling clubs.
      The blackout was introduced, at the instigation of then-Burnley chairman Bob Lord more than 50 years ago, in the belief that it would prevent TV football damaging attendances at other matches.
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters declared earlier this month that he “didn’t see” the league’s backing for the blackout ending any time soon. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Kris Boyd hilariously recreates Henry’s iconic reaction to Rodgers’ sacking with Carragher after news of Leicester axe

      by

      RANGERS legend Kris Boyd recreated a memorable moment between Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry as he discovered Brendan Rodgers had left Leicester City.The Liverpool and Arsenal legends swept social media back in 2015 after Rodgers was sacked by the Merseyside club, while the pair were live on Sky Sports.
      Kris Boyd recreated some TV gold as he reacted to Brendan Rodgers’ sackingCredit: Sky Sports
      When presenter Ed Chamberlin announced the news of Rodgers’ departure to the viewers, Henry proceeded to put his hand on Carragher’s thigh.
      It was a clip which blew up the internet as people enjoyed the hilarious moment.
      And the pair celebrated seven years since the memorable clip by reconstructing it during CBS Sports’ coverage of the Champions League last year.
      Now, it was the turn of Boyd to act it out – while letting out a sarcastic gasp – as he worked as a pundit on Sky Sports during Celtic’s 2-0 win at Ross County earlier.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      News broke that former Celtic manager Rodgers had left Premier League strugglers Leicester by mutual consent.
      The smirking Boyd quickly placed his hand on the knee of James McFadden, who quickly brushed off his co-pundit and said: “I’m fine, I’m fine.”
      Leicester were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace on Saturday and have decided to axe Rodgers in a bid to beat the drop after slipping into the relegation zone.
      Coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell will take charge on a caretaker basis.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      A club statement read: “Leicester City Football Club has reached a mutual agreement with Brendan Rodgers that will see him leave the Club after four years as our Men’s First Team Manager.
      “Brendan departs King Power Stadium as one of the most successful managers in the Club’s history, having guided us to our long-awaited first FA Cup triumph in 2021, the FA Community Shield in the same year, two of the Club’s three highest Premier League finishes and consecutive European campaigns, including our first European semi-final in 2022.
      “Assistant Manager Chris Davies and First Team Fitness Coach Glen Driscoll will also be leaving with the Club’s thanks and best wishes for their future careers.
      “Immediate responsibility for Men’s First Team training and match preparation will be led by the Club’s long-serving First Team Coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell.” More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Jeff Stelling go absolutely ballistic on Soccer Saturday and you can probably guess why

      by

      JEFF STELLING went absolutely bananas during the final moments of Soccer Saturday.The veteran presenter was on air with usual colleagues Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison and Kris Boyd.

      Oliver Finney’s stoppage-time winner sparked wild scenes at the Suit Direct StadiumCredit: ALAMY
      The last-gasp winner sent Hartlepool superfan Jeff Stelling into ecstasyCredit: SKY SPORTS
      Stelling, as ever, kept a close eye on his beloved Hartlepool – who were in action against Swindon at the Suit Direct Stadium.
      The Monkey Hangers were on course to suffer a 1-0 defeat until Connor Jennings levelled the score two minutes before time.
      Stelling was overjoyed by the equaliser, but he went full-on fan mode when his beloved team scored a stoppage-time winner.
      The 68-year-old leapt out his feet and roared with delight after Oliver Finney’s 94th-minute winner.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      An overjoyed Stelling said: “Ohhhhh! Forget the rest! That’s it from us, goodnight!”
      Stelling grinned like a Cheshire cat as he added: “Hartlepool two, Swindon one.
      “Ollie Finney has got the goal for Hartlepool there to put them in from out.”
      Fellow pundits Merson, Morrison and Boyd couldn’t help but laugh at Stelling’s joyous celebrations – which quickly became the talk of Twitter.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      One footy fan said: “That’s what it means, what a feeling. Good on you Jeff!”
      Another said: “The look on his face is what football is about. Absolutely incredible.
      And another one said: “And people say, ‘It’s just a game.'”
      One remarked: “Brilliant. Never change, Jeff Stelling.”
      Another chimed in: “Never gonna be the same when he finally quits.”
      League Two strugglers Hartlepool will be back in action on Good Friday, travelling to Blundell Park to take on Grimsby Town. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      English football set for biggest shake up since 1960s with end to ‘medieval’ rules if DAZN win TV rights to matches

      by

      ALL 1,652 EFL matches will be screened if streaming giant DAZN wins the rights to matches from the 2024-25 season.The huge change would see the end of the “medieval” Saturday 3pm TV blackout that has been in operation since the mid-60s.
      DAZN will show all EFL matches if the company wins the rights to the gamesCredit: DAZN
      Only 20 League One matches are shown on TV each seasonCredit: PA
      Chief Executive of the Premier League Richard Masters does not see an end to the Saturday blackoutCredit: Getty
      DAZN are among the bidders for the next three-season package of EFL rights, with competitors including Sky, Viaplay and TNT Sports, the new name for what was BT Sport until the takeover by Discovery.
      EFL bosses are looking to increase the current package, worth £119m per season, to £200m plus, a huge potential financial lifeline for struggling clubs.
      But the DAZN option would see a huge increase in the number of games available including the traditional Saturday afternoon slot, currently protected from broadcasting by Article 48 of Uefa Statutes.
      DAZN argues that under the current system, with matches on Sky, lower division fans are being starved of the chance to watch their teams unless they go to the matches.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Only 20 games League One are shown each season, 10 in League Two and last season 26 of the 72 EFL clubs did not feature at all.
      Sources close to DAZN, which boasts 20 million “premium” customers but a footprint across most major nations, suggest the existence of the blackout is a “medieval” anachronism which should no longer be part of the football structure in this country.

      The blackout was introduced, at the instigation of then-Burnley chairman Bob Lord more than 50 years ago, in the belief that it would prevent TV football damaging attendances at other matches.
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters declared earlier this month that he “didn’t see” the league’s backing for the blackout ending any time soon.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But EFL chiefs will have the right to lobby the FA to end the restriction if they do a deal with DAZN.
      It is understood that DAZN feels a streaming deal covering all games across the three EFL divisions – the company would also be seeing a terrestrial partner – would widen access to fans, not just in this country but worldwide.
      The company is understood to be confident that there would be no detrimental impact on crowds and that by making the EFL games more widely available it would actually increase interest in match-day attendance. More