Popular Sky Sports presenter leaves after 27 years as show axed
Sky Sports has undergone a major overhaul in recent years and bosses at the broadcaster have now decided to axe another popular show, with the host also set to depart
Popular presenter Rob Wotton delivered a tearful farewell to viewers as he confirmed his departure from Sky Sports. Wotton has worked for the broadcaster for more than 25 years, most recently as host of 'The Football Show'.
But bosses at the organisation have decided to axe the programme from their channels. The show was a weekly item taking place each Monday delivering an extensive look at the most recent matches.
Hosted by Wotton, it saw pundits Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith give their thoughts on results, controversies and stand-out performances. Former top referee Dermot Gallagher was also the centre of a section called 'Ref Watch'.
But the decision has now been taken to scrap the show completely, with Wotton now also announcing his own exit. Wotton joined Sky in 1998 and helped present coverage across all sports.
The Football Show was his most visible role, while he also regularly presented on Sky Sports News. His final show came on Monday and he delivered an emotional farewell to viewers.
"It's been an absolute pleasure. I came here in my 20s and I thought I was only coming for a couple of weeks," he said. "And look, they haven't been able to get rid of me. I keep turning up, maybe one day they'll pay me!"
Warnock and Smith paid their own tributes to him, while staff and friends gathered at the back of the set to give Wotton a standing ovation. Wotton is the latest departure in a string of exits from Sky.
Jeff Stelling, Jimmy Bullard and John Fendley have all exited, along with several high-profile reporters such as Geoff Shreeves. The Football Show follows Soccer AM in being given the axe by Sky chiefs.
According to the Daily Mail, Sky bosses are hoping to attract a younger audience, with the broadcaster already doing away with various old-school elements in favour of YouTubers and influencers.
But workers are thought to be 'bewildered' by the latest item to fall victim, with Sky Sports currently undergoing a 'restructure' that is seeing seven reporters and presenters leave.
Insiders told The Mail that 'the changes are aimed at making them more agile and able to concentrate on breaking news stories across platforms". Gallagher's Ref Watch will remain in a new format elsewhere.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was known to be a big fan of The Football Show. The German especially enjoyed coverage from ex-official Gallagher in his analysis of refereeing incidents.
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