Sky Sports presenter is surprise choice to replace Stelling on Soccer Saturday

01 May 2023 , 20:55

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Jeff Stelling is stepping down from his role as host of Soccer Saturday (Image: Sky Sports)

Saturday Social presenter Adam Smith is the surprise name being lined up to replace the iconic Jeff Stelling as the face of Sky's Soccer Saturday programme.

Stelling, 68, announced at the weekend that he had decided to stand down from his role on Soccer Saturday, which he has held for over 25 years. The veteran broadcaster's announcement comes just 12 months after he U-turned on a decision to walk away from the show.

Already, a host of names have been touted as potential successors once Stelling calls it quits at the end of May. But Smith, who was also a regular on the popular Soccer AM show for years, has now emerged as the frontrunner to step in.

That's according to The Sun, who claim that Smith was 'discreetly interviewed' for Stelling's role last year alongside Mark Chapman and Julian Warren, Stelling's usual stand-in.

Many had regarded Warren as a shoo-in for the position as he regularly hosts the midweek edition of the show. But the report claims that several people behind the scenes are "batting" for Smith, who is said to have majorly impressed bosses during a secret screen test.

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Smith, who is also known as "Smithy", spent years entertaining fans on Soccer AM as 'Baby Elvis' and 'Frankie Fryer' before transitioning into a broadcasting role.

Stelling announced his decision just after the weekend's 3pm games had kicked off on Saturday. Speaking live on the show, he said: “It is Groundhog Day, that time of the year when I announce that I am leaving Sky Sports and Gillette Soccer Saturday.

Join the debate! Who do you think should replace Jeff Stelling on Sky's Soccer Saturday show next season? Let us know here.

Sky Sports presenter Adam Smith has emerged as the shock frontrunner to succeed Stelling

“This time it is true. After 30 fantastic years on Sky, you lot out there have supported me, as have Sky, but it’s time to give you a break from all the VAR rants and bad gags and over the top celebrations when Hartlepool score a goal and give someone else the chance to do this fantastic job.

“So I’ll be leaving on May 28th, we’ve got a few programs between now and then, this is the last six hour Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday… so we’d better get on with it!”

The veteran's decision to call it quits led to an impromptu round of applause from the studio guests and an outpouring of support from social media. Match of the Day host Gary Lineker led the tributes to the Sky Sports legend, hailing Stelling as a "consummate broadcaster".

Stelling's final show on May 28th marks the final matchday of the Premier League season. It is expected that Sky Sports will confirm Stelling's successor before the 2023/24 campaign gets underway next summer.

Dan Marsh