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Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Sky Sports news presenter Rob Wotton has tearful farewell on final show
Wotton, the popular host of the 'The Football Show' spent more than 25 years working for the channel. Sky Sports News presenter Rob Wotton delivered an emotional goodbye to viewers as he confirmed his departure from the broadcaster. Wotton, the popular host of the 'The Football Show' spent more than 25 years working for the channel. But bosses at Sky decided to pull the plug on the popular show where pundits Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith joined Wotton to discuss results, controversies and stand-out performances from the weekends' action. It also featured former ex Premier League ref Dermot Gallagher who provided an insight during 'Ref Watch'. As the Mirror reports, a decision had been made to scrap the show completely, with Wotton announcing his own exit. Wotton joined Sky in 1998 and helped present coverage across all sports. The Football Show became his prime role, while he also regularly presented on Sky Sports News. His final show came on Monday and he delivered a tearful 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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Iconic Sky Sports News presenter given farewell after being axed after 27 years on air
Iconic Sky Sports News presenter given farewell after being axed after 27 years on air Rob Wotton has been a mainstay of Sky Sports for more than 25 years and cut an emotional figure after he presented The Football Show for the final time on Monday Rob Wotton was clearly emotional after presenting on Sky Sports for the last time (Image: Sky Sports ) Beloved Sky Sports host Rob Wotton has bid an emotional goodbye to his audience as he confirmed his departure from the network. Having been a part of Sky Sports for 27 years, Wotton most recently presented 'The Football Show', where he made his final farewell on Monday. However, the higher-ups at Sky have made the decision to cancel the programme from their schedule. The show, which aired every Monday, provided in-depth analysis of the weekend's football action from the Premier League and beyond. Chelsea fan Wotton led the show with insights from pundits Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith. The panel regularly discussed match results, contentious issues and notable performances in what became a weekly staple. 'Ref Watch', a segment featuring ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, was a particularly popular portion of the show. Now, with the show being axed, Wotton has revealed he will be leaving the broadcaster altogether. Having joined Sky in 1998, Wotton became a familiar face presenting across various sports and frequently appeared on Sky Sports News. His last appearance on 'The Football Show' saw him express heartfelt thanks 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," said Wotton, per The Mirror. "And look, they haven't been able to get rid of me. I keep turning up, maybe one day they'll pay me!" Article continues below Wotton spent 27 years with Sky Sports before his final farewell (Image: Sky Sports ) Both Warnock and Smith offered tributes to Wotton, while colleagues and friends assembled on-set to applaud him with a standing ovation. Wotton's exit is among several recent departures from the Sky team. High-profile figures such as Jeff Stelling, Jimmy Bullard, John Fendley, and Geoff Shreeves have parted ways with the network in recent years. That's following the cancellation of the Soccer AM, as well as a shake-up of the Soccer Saturday cast. A report from the Daily Mail suggested Sky is pivoting to capture a younger demographic by shifting away from traditional broadcasting elements. This is seemingly being done in an effort to embrace social media influencers and YouTube personalities. It's also reported there are those in the company "bewildered" by the direction in which the broadcaster is heading. That would hint not everyone is on board with the manner in which the channel has decided to pivot in its bid for viewership. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below Staff have allegedly been taken aback by the recent programming cuts. This comes as the broadcaster goes through a "restructure" that has resulted in seven reporters and presenters departing. Insiders told the Daily Mail: "The changes are aimed at making them more agile and able to concentrate on breaking news stories across platforms." Despite the overhaul, Gallagher's Ref Watch is set to continue in an adapted format on another platform. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was known to be a fan of The Football Show. And it's understood he particularly enjoyed Gallagher's insights into officiating around the game.
Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sky Sports axes 'The Football Show' to attract younger viewers, Jurgen Klopp's favourite show 'Ref Watch' to air in new format
AP Confetti falls as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, and teammates advance on the team bus during the Premier League winners parade in Liverpool, England, Monday, May 26, 2025. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) Sky Sports' "The Football Show," a long-running program aired every Monday, has been scrapped ahead of next season. The decision has reportedly dismayed staff and comes as Sky aims to attract younger viewers through YouTube influencers and social media personalities. Hosted by Rob Wotton alongside co-hosts Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith, the show dissected Premier League weekend events and featured Dermot Gallagher's "Ref Watch" "Ref Watch", a favourite of former Liverpool manager and regular viewer Jurgen Klopp, will continue in a new format. According to Sky Sports, the changes are intended to make the channel more agile and the new developments will ensure the channel concentrates on breaking news stories, but decision has reportedly left Sky Sports staff "dismayed."Dermot Gallagher hosted "Ref Watch" dissected controversial refereeing decisions from the officials are hoping to attract more YouTube influencers and fans with big social media followings with Sky switching up the way it approaches its is believed the changes will make the channel "more agile and able to concentrate on breaking news stories". Some staff members have been left "bewildered" by the decision making process. This follows a number of chopping and changing in recent already axed a number off fan-favourite presenters on their Soccer Saturday panel show. The channel later gave it a new look. The long-running Soccer AM was scrapped in was recently involved in a row with Nottingham Forest. This occurred after pundit Gary Neville was banned from their final day clash with Chelsea. The ban stemmed from Neville's controversial comments about the club's owner, Evangelos said he was forced to withdraw from the coverage after failing to receive accreditation from Forest. "I've had no choice but to withdraw from the coverage. I've dished out my fair share of criticism and praise in the last 14 years of doing this job and have never come close to this unprecedented action."
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
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.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sky Sports axes 'The Football Show' to attract younger viewers, Jurgen Klopp's favourite show 'Ref Watch' to air in new format
Sky Sports' "The Football Show," a long-running program aired every Monday, has been scrapped ahead of next season. The decision has reportedly dismayed staff and comes as Sky aims to attract younger viewers through YouTube influencers and social media personalities. Hosted by Rob Wotton alongside co-hosts Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith, the show dissected Premier League weekend events and featured Dermot Gallagher's "Ref Watch" segment. The "Ref Watch", a favourite of former Liverpool manager and regular viewer Jurgen Klopp, will continue in a new format. According to Sky Sports, the changes are intended to make the channel more agile and the new developments will ensure the channel concentrates on breaking news stories, but decision has reportedly left Sky Sports staff "dismayed." Dermot Gallagher hosted "Ref Watch" dissected controversial refereeing decisions from the weekend. Channel officials are hoping to attract more YouTube influencers and fans with big social media followings with Sky switching up the way it approaches its shows. It is believed the changes will make the channel "more agile and able to concentrate on breaking news stories". Live Events Some staff members have been left "bewildered" by the decision making process. This follows a number of chopping and changing in recent years. Sky already axed a number off fan-favourite presenters on their Soccer Saturday panel show. The channel later gave it a new look. The long-running Soccer AM was scrapped in 2023. Sky was recently involved in a row with Nottingham Forest. This occurred after pundit Gary Neville was banned from their final day clash with Chelsea. The ban stemmed from Neville's controversial comments about the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis. Neville said he was forced to withdraw from the coverage after failing to receive accreditation from Forest. "I've had no choice but to withdraw from the coverage. I've dished out my fair share of criticism and praise in the last 14 years of doing this job and have never come close to this unprecedented action." Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
