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      Where Soccer AM’s Soccerettes are now, from glamour models and talkSPORT host to Hollyoaks star and Big Brother winner

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      WITH cult classic football show Soccer AM set to be axed, SunSport takes a look back at one of its most iconic features – Soccerettes. The skit was scrapped in 2015 but saw a wide variety of future stars throughout its runtime.
      Soccer AM is set to be axedCredit: Sky
      From TV presenters to glamour models and actresses to Big Brother winners, the section etched its place into British TV history.
      But where are some of the most memorable Soccer AM Soccerettes now?
      Natalie Sawyer
      Natalie Sawyer appeared on Soccer AM in a Brentford shirt and now works at TalkSport
      Starting off, Natalie Sawyer made more than one appearance on Soccer AM during her 18 years working at Sky Sports.
      The now talkSPORT radio presenter and podcast host represented Brentford on the show, but back then promotion to the Premier League was a dream for any Bees fan.
      READ MORE ON SOCCER AM
      Natalie had been married to ITV commentator Sam Matterface until 2014. However, since 2015 she has been in a relationship with former Leeds and Brentford midfielder Jonathan Douglas.

      Gemma Atkinson
      Actress and former glamour model Gemma Atkinson appeared on Soccer AM in a Bury shirt in 2007
      Former TV Soap star Gemma Atkinson has forged a multi-faceted career which includes a 2007 appearance on Soccer AM, in which she donned a Bury shirt.
      Gemma appeared on both Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and has worked as a glamour model, before also adding Strictly Come Dancing to her CV.
      While on Strictly she met current partner Gorka Márquez, and she is now expecting her second child in the summer.
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      Jennifer Metcalfe
      Jennifer Metcalfe is still one of the biggest stars on Hollyoaks now
      Jennifer Metcalfe made her Soccer AM debut while adorning a Bradford shirt.
      The Soap star is best known for roles as Mercedes McQueen and Jade Nicholls in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale respectively.
      She is mother to five-year-old Daye, but has admitted she would love to give him a sibling.
      Lucy Pinder
      Lucy Pinder wore a Southampton shirt. She later appeared on lad mags including FHM and Loaded
      Former glamour model Lucy Pinder was an instant hit on Soccerettes as she represented Southampton during her appearance.
      Lucy appeared in lad mags such as Nuts, FHM and Loaded, and also made an appearance on Big Brother in 2009.
      She has also dabbled in acting, with appearances in movies such as Sharknado 5.
      Chantelle Houghton
      Chantelle Houghton wore a yellow Arsenal shirt when on the SoccerettesCredit: Soccer AM
      She shot to fame after winning Big Brother in 2006Credit: Olivia West – The Sun
      Chantelle Houghton shot to fame after winning Big Brother in 2006 as a non-celeb.
      But before this she had been on Soccer AM with a yellow Arsenal shirt. She would later appear on Come Dine With Me.
      Chantelle has a daughter, ten-year-old Dolly, with ex-partner Alex Reid.
      Tamsin Greenway
      Tamsin Greenway appeared on Soccer AM with a shirt reading ‘unbelievable tekkers’Credit: Sky
      Greenway won bronze in the 2010 Commonwealth gamesCredit: Empics Sport
      Tamsmin Greenway appeared on Soccer AM in a Leicester City shirt, before it was removed to reveal a shirt which said “unbelievable tekkers”.
      The former England Netball star won bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. She is now the head coach of Scotland.
      Greenway has two children, Jeane and Casey, born in 2013 and 2019 respectively.
      Kelly Kelly
      Wrestler Kelly Kelly made a special appearance in 2007Credit: Sky
      After retiring from WWE in 2012 she became an influencerCredit: Twitter @TheBarbieBlank
      Wrestler Kelly Kelly, real name Barbie Blank, also made an appearance on Soccer AM.
      The former WWE star made an appearance on the show back in 2007.
      The blonde bombshell left WWE in 2012 and became an influencer.
      Louise Cliffe
      Former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe went on to appear on Big Brother
      Former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe appeared on Soccer AM as a Manchester United Soccerette in 2011.
      The 36-year-old model went on to appear on Big Brother that same year.
      She got together with Jay McKray in the house, who she married and split up with a year later.
      Later, in 2016, she announced she was dating another one of her Big Brother housemates, Stuart Pilkington, and expecting a baby with him.
      The couple are still together and have two children, Eli, six, and Ezra, four. Louise now works as a body piercer.
      Peta Todd
      Peta Todd was just 21 when she was on Soccer AM
      Former Page 3 girl Peta Todd was just 21 when she first appeared on Soccer Am, supporting West Ham – and it wasn’t her last.
      She’d just come back from Afghanistan where she was supporting the troops with charity Help For Heroes.
      Over the years Peta has raised thousands for the charity, through endeavours like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, skydiving and running the London Marathon in 2010.
      In 2010, she received an award for outstanding contribution to the charity, which included a personal meeting with Prince William.
      Read More on The Sun
      Peta has been married to cyclist Mark Cavendish since 2013. They have four children together, Delilah, 10, Casper, four, seven-month-old Astrid, and Frey, seven, who has special educational needs after he developed sepsis as a baby.
      She also has a son, Finnbar, 16, from a previous relationship. More

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      Where is the cast of Soccer AM now, from Tubes to Helen Chamberlain after iconic Sky Sports show is axed

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      SOCCER AM is set to be axed by Sky Sports after nearly 30 years.As exclusively revealed by SunSport, there are just 10 episodes remaining of the iconic show.
      Soccer AM is set to end after almost 30 years
      The show is currently fronted by Jimmy Bullard
      Soccer AM has delighted fans since its first episode went out in 1995.
      And a host of favourite presenters have come and gone through its glittering doors in that time.
      The show is currently hosted by John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard.
      But what happened to the other well-known stars of Soccer AM?
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      Here, SunSport takes a look…
      TUBES
      ARGUABLY the most revered member of Soccer AM, the popular figure is still working on the show full-time.
      Originally an assistant producer, he became a regular thanks to his comical appearances.
      Tubes was one of Soccer AM’s most popular membersCredit: Sky Sports
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      He now interviews some of the biggest names in football for Sky Sports while also enjoying a round of golf.
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      Tubes suffered a major heart attack in 2018 after revealing he was an alcoholic.
      And the star revealed this week he was almost seven years into his recovery, receiving support from John Terry.
      The ex-Chelsea and England captain said: “Tubes you are a legend and we are all proud of you mate.
      “Continue smashing it with Golf Life and keep being the kind of great man you are.”
      HELEN CHAMBERLAIN
      ONE of Soccer AM’s OG presenters from back in the day.
      She presented the show every Saturday morning from 1995 for 22 years, leaving in 2017.
      Helen Chamberlain was there from the show’s inception
      She continued working alongside current presenter John Fendley
      Chamberlain has mostly disappeared from TV screens, but was spotted making a rare public appearance with Fallon Sherrock at the darts last July.
      She also worked on the inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship, interviewing some of the stars.
      And she rescues animals on her farm, telling the Athletic in 2020: “I spent nearly half my life sitting on that sofa.
      “I was there for nearly 23 years. That’s a long time to have any job, never mind a job in broadcasting.
      “I had the farm to see to. I wanted to rescue more dogs and breed sheep and chickens. So I didn’t have time for Saturday mornings anymore.”
      TIM LOVEJOY
      JOINED Soccer AM in 1996 after working on the Big Breakfast show.
      He and Chamberlain became a mighty pairing on the Saturday sofa.
      Tim Lovejoy was one of the original hosts of Soccer AMCredit: Sky
      But their partnership ended in 2007 when Lovejoy left Soccer AM to create Channel Bee, an internet television channel.
      He later went on to present Something for the Weekend, a Sunday morning cooking show on BBC2.
      And Lovejoy now fronts Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 alongside co-host Simon Rimmer.
      ROCKET
      REAL name James Long, he first joined Soccer AM as a 15-year-old on work experience before becoming a producer.
      His Skill Skool segment featured the likes of Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling when they were teenagers.
      Rocket joined the team as a 15-year-old on work experienceCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Rocket spent 19 years on the show before leaving in 2017 to become JOE’s Head of Sports Production.
      He then went to Snack Media and is now Head of Production at Mola TV.
      Reflecting on Soccer AM, Rocket said in 2020: “It was organised chaos, a bit of carnage.
      “The camera’s whipping round and you never know what you’re going to see next.”
      BABY ELVIS
      THE hilarious alter-ego of Adam Smith, who also played Danny Dyer lookalike Frankie Fryer.
      Smith made fans chuckle as he paid homage to football stadiums up and down the country.
      Adam Smith took on a number of rolesCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      There were plenty of funny characters on boardCredit: Doug Seeburg – The Sun
      He stepped away from Soccer AM in 2015 and now works on various shows like Sky Sports’ The Debate, as well as TalkSport radio.
      In 2021 Smith bravely revealed his struggles with mental health, saying: “Not gonna lie I’ve been struggling MENTALLY.
      “I’m taking up to 10 insulin injections daily for my Type 1 [diabetes] as can’t exercise post hernia op.
      “My son got rushed to hospital by ambulance Sunday and the trauma from his birth still haunts me. Don’t keep your problems bottled up.”
      ROBBIE KNOX
      FIRST got involved with Soccer AM in 2000 as a producer before becoming a regular on camera.
      Was given nickname “Tramp”, which was sung to the tune of The Champ by The Mohawks.
      Robbie Knkx was given the nickname ‘Tramp’Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Guests galore used to love making an appearanceCredit: Sky
      Knox worked on the show for seven years before departing with Tim Lovejoy.
      He then created a production company called Dry Lunch Productions, and is now a content creator on social media while also co-hosting the Happy Hour podcast.
      MAX RUSHDEN
      FORMER BBC London and TalkSport man eventually took over from Lovejoy in 2008 following Andy Goldstein’s short stint.
      He became popular with fans despite having big shoes to fill and stayed on the air until 2015.
      Max Rushden works for TalkSport and hosts a podcastCredit: David Henderson – The Sun Glasgow
      Rushden then hosted The Fantasy Football Club before returning to TalkSport for The Warm Up.
      He also hosts The Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast and fronts European football for Aussie broadcaster Stan Sport.
      LISA HEBDEN
      Made the transition to Soccer AM after working for Sky’s Spanish football team.
      Became the character Cheryl Mole, who went down a storm with viewers.
      Emma Louise Jones is one of Lisa Hebden’s clients for her hair and makeup businessCredit: Instagram
      And she made history by becoming the show’s first female winner of the infamous dance off.
      Read More on The Sun
      Hebden quit Soccer AM in 2017 before becoming a senior production coordinator at Gravity Media.
      She also runs her own hair and make-up business, with one of her clients being BBC presenter Emma Louise Jones. More

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      Exact date final episode of Soccer AM will be aired – and it’s sooner than you think

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      SOCCER AM will air its final episode on Saturday, 27 May.The Sun this morning revealed that the cult Sky Sports show will be axed at the end of the season after nearly 30 years on the air.
      Soccer AM has been axed after nearly 30 years on the air
      Bosses have decided to axe the show with ten episodes remaining.
      It will finish on the final weekend of the season, and will not extend to the Champions League final.
      Staff were told on Tuesday that the programme’s run would be coming to an end.
      And they were also informed that they would be made redundant upon its conclusion.
      READ MORE ON SOCCER AM
      A source told The Sun: “It was a complete bombshell.
      “Morale is at an all-time low, they are raging.
      “It’s going to be an interesting watch over the next few weeks.”
      Soccer AM debuted in 1995 and enjoyed incredible initial success.
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      It featured a variety of celebrity guests from the worlds of sport, music and telly.
      Soccer AM enjoyed great success with previous presenters Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy – with Max Rushden and Andy Goldstein having also hosted the show.

      It is currently presented by John Fendley and ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard.
      Both hosts are understood to be “fuming” upon today’s news.
      A Sky Spokesperson says “Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.
      “We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people. We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”
      Soccer AM was previously presented by Tim Lovejoy and Helen ChamberlainCredit: Rex Features More

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      Why has Soccer AM been cancelled?

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      SKY SPORTS fan’s favourite Soccer AM is set to be axed at the end of the season.The Saturday morning football show has been on the air for nearly 30 years.
      Former Soccer AM hosts Lim Lovejoy and Helen ChamberlinCredit: Sky Sports
      Why has Soccer AM been axed?
      Staff were told the unfortunate news that the show would be coming to an end and that they would be made redundant in May.
      A source told the Sun: “It was a complete bombshell.
      “Morale is at an all-time low, they are raging.
      “It’s going to be an interesting watch over the next few weeks.”
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      A Sky Spokesperson has said: “Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.
      “We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people.
      “We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”
      Most read in Football
      Who presents Soccer AM?
      Soccer AM is presented by former Wigan Athletic and Hull City star Jimmy Bullard.
      He is joined on the presenting team by John ‘Fenners’ Fendley.
      The show was first presented by Russ Williams and Helen Chamberlin.
      Then in 1996, Helen was joined by Tim Lovejoy, and the two formed a well-loved partnership.
      The iconic pairing is the duo that most people associate with the show.
      Lovejoy left the show in 2007 after 11 years in the job, while Chamberlin presented Soccer AM up until 2017.
      Former Soccer AM presenter, Lovejoy, discussed his relationship with the show with the Atheltic in 2020: “I stopped watching it when I left, it was too hard to watch it.
      “I tune in every now and then because Fenners is on it and I want to support him.
      “Again, another crap analogy, it’s like watching your old girlfriend with another man.
      “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t watch it. So I stopped watching it totally.
      “And then I started tuning in again to watch Fenners, because obviously I worked with him for years and he’s a top bloke.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s too hard for me because I watch it all and I want to join in with it.
      “I’d really like to input on the show and put stuff on there and I find it too hard.” More

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      Sky TV reporter banned from Premier League ground after sneaking girlfriend into dressing room and getting kicked out

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      A SKY TV reporter is in trouble with a Premier League club for making an uninvited visit to their dressing room on match day.He showed his girlfriend the out-of-bounds inner sanctum a couple of hours before kick-off in an unscheduled tour.
      A Sky TV reporter faces a ban from an unnamed Premier League stadiumCredit: PA
      However, a steward found him and the pair.
      They were duly ordered from the premises.
      And the reporter may not be allowed back into the stadium for some time.
      Written media passes at Premier League games get journalists access to a press room and a seat in the designated area of the stands, with plugs and desks to use laptops.
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      Broadcast media, such as Sky Sports, have slightly different rules with permission to enter certain specified zones before, during and after matches.
      Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously banned the BBC for seven years until 2011 following a documentary about him and his son Jason.
      Also in 2011, Fergie temporarily suspended Sky Sports’ TV cameras from his press conferences after taking exception to a question about Ryan Giggs.
      And the current United boss Erik ten Hag followed a similar tact just weeks into his tenure last August.
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      The Dutchman refused to take questions from Sky reporter Gary Cotterill, ignoring him three times in a 15-minute press conference.
      It is understood the snub came after Cotterill tried to speak to Ten Hag when he watched United play at Crystal Palace at the end of last season. More

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      ‘Lee Mason must’ve drawn it’ – Sky Sports viewers left baffled by Kieran Trippier’s penalty graphic during Newcastle win

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      TV VIEWERS were baffled by a graphic of Kieran Trippier penalties amid his “sh*thouse” antics in Newcastle’s last-gasp win at Nottingham Forest.One fan joked ref “Lee Mason must’ve drawn it” as a Sky Sports image showed two amazing Trippier spot-kicks.
      Kieran Trippier duped Forest into thinking he would take a crucial stoppage-time penalty and was pictured in a bemusing graphic of two spot-kicksCredit: Rex
      Viewers wanted to see these two virtual Trippier penalties in real lifeCredit: https://twitter.com/AverageStriker/status/1637030021461057537
      Viewers hailed the England right-back for pretending he was going to take the stoppage-time penalty that Alexander Isak eventually fired home.
      Trippier’s tactic took the pressure off Isak and onto himself as Forest players tried to unsettle him.
      And although he confused the opposition on the pitch, it was Sky who left observers puzzled with their incredible graphic.
      It labelled a spot on the bottom left of the post as a “missed” Trippier penalty and another mark on the far angle of bar and upright as “scored”.
      READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL
      Noting the fine margins, one fan posted: “Would absolutely love to see that scored penalty.”
      Another wrote: “Broke the angle. Ref too scared to disallow it.”
      And a third blamed Mason – even though Paul Tierney was the ref in Friday’s comeback victory at Forest.
      In fact, 32-year-old Tripper has missed both his penalties at club level – for Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
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      But he did net confidently in England’s only ever triumph in a World Cup shootout.
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to reach the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals.
      It follows supporters praising Tripper for his behaviour before Isak’s match-winning second goal.
      One said: “World class s***housery by Trippier pretending to take penalty so he got all the mind games then gave ball to Alex. Absolute genius never seen that before!!!”   More

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      ‘Are you a stalker or something?’ Sky Sports pundits can’t believe Gary Neville’s question to Howe after Newcastle win

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      GARY NEVILLE left his fellow pundits in disbelief with a question he asked Eddie Howe. Newcastle boss Howe had just seen his team complete a 2-1 comeback victory over Nottingham Forest to move them within a point of fourth-place Tottenham.
      Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were left in stitches as Neville asked a peculiar questionCredit: PA
      The question was directed towards Newcastle boss Eddie HoweCredit: https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1636857634547531777

      And while Howe spoke to Neville and Co on Sky Sports after the game, the Manchester United legend asked a peculiar question.
      He asked: “What are your plans for the next couple of weeks?”
      Perhaps realising his question could be seen as bizarre, Neville was seen starting to smirk before host Kelly Cates burst out laughing and Jamie Carragher interjected with a brilliant comment.
      Carragher said: “Are you a stalker or something?”
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      Howe, who’s team can now have a rest due to the international break, said he would likely be back focusing on the next game very soon.
      He also revealed the squad would be visiting Dubai.
      Afterwards, Cates joked: “We’re really sorry about him [Neville] and we’ll sort out his restraining order.
      “We’ll let you go before it gets more uncomfortable.”
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      Neville and Carragher laughed throughout the exchange, and fans online were left in stitches as well.
      One user said: “When Gary starts going high-pitched and Carra starts giggling, you know it’s good 🤣.”
      A second commented: “Quality 😂.”
      A third wrote: “‘Can I go?’ 😳 Stalker Neville is born 😆.” More

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      ‘Neville can replace Crawley’ – Fans in awe of Man Utd icon’s cricket skills as he and Carragher face Broad in the nets

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      FANS have been left in awe at Gary Neville’s cricket skills as he and fellow pundit Jamie Carragher were put through their paces by England legend Stuart Broad. The bowler is a huge Nottingham Forest fan and was at the City Ground for their friday night clash against Newcastle.
      Stuart Broad gave the football pundits a lesson on cricketCredit: Sky Sports
      It turned out that former youth cricketer Neville had lost very few of his skillsCredit: Sky Sports
      Given his connections to the Tricky Trees, Sky Sports recruited Broad to get Neville and Carragher out of their comfort zone with some top-level cricket.
      The pair took to the indoor crease with Broad sending down some thunderbolts in their direction.
      Decked out in full cricket gear, both Neville and Carragher initially struggled to get to grips with the challenge, with the former Liverpool defender at one point quipping of his rival: “This is worse than his Valencia moment!”
      But the longer the challenge went on, the clearer it became that there was a quality gap between the pundits.
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      And Neville, the former opening batsman for his local cricket club Greenmount, impressed both Broad and Sky Sports viewers.
      One wrote on Twitter: “Think Nev can open in place of [Zak] Crawley.”
      Another viewer went with a similar theme as they said: “Neville can’t be worst then Crawley being honest.”
      While another fan said: “[Neville is] a much better batsman than a manager.”
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      Other tweeters dug out an old newspaper headline from the Bury Times which showed a young Neville alongside Australian opener Matthew Hayden as they clocked up a century apiece for Greenmount.
      The former Manchester United full-back managed to respond impressively to some of Broad’s fierce bowling, smacking the ball back towards the bowler on multiple occasions.
      But Carragher struggle to connect with most of Broad’s balls and even had his wickets taken out on one occasion.
      Broad, 36, declared Neville the winner at the end of the challenge.
      A fun day for England’s cricketer would however finish with a duff note as his beloved Forest side conceded a late penalty to lose against Newcastle.
      Bowler Broad is England’s second highest wicket taker in test cricketCredit: Sky Sports
      Neville was happy with his superior performance compared to CarragherCredit: Sky Sports More