27 June 2023 , 11:19
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Jeff Stelling has made a return to our TV screens, appearing on Countdown following his departure from Sky Sports.
Stelling stood down as presenter of Soccer Saturday at the end of the domestic football season. The 68-year-old had been the face of Sky’s football results show for 30 years and his exit was part of wide-ranging changes made by the broadcaster ahead of the 2023/24 season.
There has been plenty of speculation about Stelling’s next career move after he confirmed he was not retiring. But with the presenter reportedly on gardening leave until the end of the year, he won’t be able to take another full-time role until 2024.
However, he was allowed to make a return to Channel 4 ’s famous quiz show to work alongside Colin Murray, Rachel Riley and Susie Dent. Stelling presented the show for three years between 2009 and 2011 and was welcomed back as a special guest on dictionary corner, alongside Dent.
“Lovely welcome back to old stomping ground!” he tweeted alongside a picture of a welcome banner on his dressing room door.
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Riley tweeted: “Filming with an unbelievable dictionary corner guest in this week… Missed you Stellmeister!” He replied: “So nice to be back with the old gang. Had a great time, even though someone took the p*** out of me relentlessly!!”
Stelling has not been short of offers since stepping back from Sky Sports. He has already reportedly been in talks with the BBC and Amazon Prime for new presenting roles.
Jeff Stelling returned to Countdown (@JeffStelling/Twitter)
Rachel Riley appeared on the show too (@RachelRileyRR/Twitter)Amazon are looking to bring in a big name to front their coverage of the Champions League, which they gain the rights to in 2024. The BBC, meanwhile, are keen to include him on their BBC Radio 5 Live station in some capacity.
Stelling’s exit from Sky has come amid a time of major changes at the broadcaster, who have also axed longstanding show Soccer AM. The channel’s football offering will look very different next season, with experienced commentator Martin Tyler also leaving Sky, to be replaced by Peter Drury.
Sky's director of football Gary Hughes paid tribute to Stelling upon his departure. "Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere,” he said.
Jeff Stelling will be back on our screens soon on Countdown (Sky Sports)“His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.
"He will be sorely missed. Sky Sports will give him the great send off his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves before he leaves us at the end of May to spend more Saturdays with his beloved Hartlepool United."
Following his final Soccer Saturday show in May, Stelling tweeted: "I’m going to take a few weeks to assess my options and then decide what is next."