Sky Sports Eyeing Up BBC's Mark Chapman As Replacement For Jeff Stelling On Soccer Saturday

Sky Sports are eyeing up BBC presenter Mark Chapman as a replacement for the departing Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday.

Stelling has fronted the popular live football scores show since 1994 but in October announced he will be stepping down from the position at the end of the season.

Receiving a standing ovation from his peers, the 66-year-old said: "It's been my decision. Sky have been brilliant with me as they always have done.

"I'm not intending to retire, that's up to people out there.

"It's time to let somebody else have a go at what is the best job in the world. After all, I wouldn't want to get the point I call Wraith Rovers, Roth Wraithers. We wouldn't want that would we?

"I'm going to be here until May and then leaving the show and the company. That's about seven months of Saturday afternoon parties so let's get this party going!"

Immediately, the likes of Julian Warren, Laura Woods, Chunkz and Josh Denzel were linked with taking over from Stelling.

However, according to Mike Keegan from the Daily Mail, Sky want Chapman to head up their long-running show.

The 48-year-old is an incredibly popular and versatile broadcaster, presenting Match of the Day 2 and the BBC's coverage of rugby league and the NFL.

Image: PA

He also hosts the Saturday football coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live,, as well as the weekly Monday Night Club show featuring regular panelists Chris Sutton and Micah Richards.

Talks have been held between Sky and Chapman, who has been with the BBC since 1996 and started off reading sports news on Radio 1.

Image: PA

Replacing Stelling will be no easy feat given the entertainment and humour he has brought to our screens during his long tenure.

The Hartlepool fan is an icon of British television and has been responsible for so many memorable moments on Soccer Saturday.

The Soccer Saturday line up has undergone plenty of changes in recent years, with Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Tony Cottee all relieved of their duties.

Michael Dawson and Karen Carney were drafted in as new signings ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Topics: Sky Sports

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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