Latest news with #RobWotton
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Seven Sky Sports stars leaving show in huge shake-up as Melissa Reddy axed
Sky Sports are making major changes behind the scenes following presenter Rob Wotton's emotional farewell earlier this week, with seven more staff members set to leave the broadcaster Sky Sports News has axed seven stars as part of a major shake-up. And the move involves several familiar faces, including popular presenter Rob Wotton and senior reporter Melissa Reddy. Wotton bid farewell to the broadcaster in his final live appearance on Monday. The presenter was tearful as he addressed viewers live on air after working at Sky for almost three decades. An it has since been revealed that Wotton will be joined by six of his colleagues as part of a redundancy programme. The Sun has reported that those impacted include senior reporter Reddy following a consultation period. Presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor are also leaving the channel this summer, having spent 18 and 11 years with Sky respectively. Long-serving reporter Jeremy Langdon is set to end his 20-year association with Sky Sports News. Senior reporter Fadumo Okow and producer Nick Lustig will also be leaving their roles. Reddy was recruited by Sky Sports News as a senior reporter three years ago. During her time with the broadcaster, the South African journalist covered some of the Premier League 's top stories. However, the latest report has revealed that news of their departures was recently shared in an internal memo following a consultation period. It is said not to be a cost-cutting measure, with a spokesperson explaining that the personnel changes were targeted at 'making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences'. During his final Sky Sports appearance on Monday, Wotton said: "It's been an absolute pleasure. "I came here in my 20s and I thought I was only coming for a couple of weeks. "And look, they haven't been able to get rid of me.I keep turning up, maybe one day they'll pay me!" Wotton joined the broadcaster in 1998. He hosted The Football Show on Monday mornings, looking back at the weekend action, but that programme has been cancelled ahead of next season. Fellow presenters Draper and Taylor were promoted from production roles to become on-screen stars during their more than 10 years working at Sky Sports News. Meanwhile, Langdon had worked at Sky for more than 20 years.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Melissa Reddy among 'SEVEN' job casualties at Sky Sports News
Meslissa Reddy is reportedly one of seven Sky Sports News broadcasters who has been informed she is being made redundant. The reporter was told her fate alongside her colleagues in an internal memo on Tuesday, according to The Sun. It comes after presenter Rob Wotton choked up during his final appearance after 27 years working for the channel on Monday. Teddy Draper, Jasper Taylor, Jeremy Langdon, Fadumo Olow, and producer Nick Lustig have also reportedly been cut. More to follow.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Melissa Reddy among SEVEN Sky Sports News presenters leaving in major shake-up
SKY SPORTS NEWS have confirmed the departures of seven senior broadcasters as part of a major redundancy programme. Long-serving presenter Rob Wotton announced his departure after 30 years in a tearful farewell live on air on Monday evening. 5 5 And SunSport has learned that Sky Sports News have told staff that six of Wotton's colleagues will also be leaving in an internal memo sent yesterday. Fellow presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor are also going this summer, along with senior reporters Jeremy Langdon and Melissa Reddy and Fadumo Olow, and producer Nick Lustig. Sky Sports declined to comment when approached by SunSport. Wotton was in tears as he announced his departure from the company he joined in 1998 at the end of a Sky Sports News presenting shift on Monday. He also presented The Football Show – a look back at the weekend's matches and talking points that aired every Monday morning – but the programme has been axed for next season. "It's been an absolute pleasure,' Wotton said. 'I came here in my 20s and I thought I was only coming for a couple of weeks. "And look, they haven't been able to get rid of me. I keep turning up, maybe one day they'll pay me!" Fellow presenters Draper and Taylor are also Sky stalwarts and graduated from production roles to presenting, spending 18 and 11 years respectively at the broadcaster, while well-known reporter Langdon has been at Sky for over 20 years. Senior Football Reporter Reddy was a new recruit three years ago, but has covered most of the biggest stories in the Premier League in that period, particularly involving Liverpool and both Manchester clubs. Sky told staff they were embarking on a redundancy programme at the start of the month and the departures follow a period of consultation. Sky Sports presenter chokes up on final appearance as he leaves after nearly 30 YEARS with much-loved show axed Sky insist the changes are not primarily a cost-cutting measure with a spokesperson saying they are aimed at 'making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences'. 5 5 5
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.
