ANOTHER Sky Sports presenter reveals he is leaving the broadcaster amid brutal cost-cutting plan

Yet another Sky Sports presenter has revealed he is leaving the broadcaster just two weeks after half of their football reporting team was axed. 

The presenter, who fronted one of the network’s marquee shows, had worked with Sky Sports for over two decades. 

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘Sky sky for now. 

‘After 21 and half years, today I leave. 

‘Massive thanks to the company and all the opportunities it’s given me. It’s been class.

Martin Tyler (left) and John ‘Fenners’ Fendley (right) are two of the big names to leave Sky Sports this summer

On Friday they were joined by Fenners’ Soccer AM co-host Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale, who shared his farewell message on Instagram

‘BIG Love to everyone. Tubes.’ 

Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale was a long-running host of Soccer AM, which was cancelled by the broadcaster after nearly 30 years on air in a move that came amid a wave of shake-ups in the organisation. 

Upon the announcement, a number of famous names, including Frank Lampard, James Maddison, Jamie Redknapp, and John Terry, shared their good wishes with the presenter. 

Lampard wrote: ‘You’ve been more than amazing there. Talented and a great lad. Always a pleasure to work with. Wishing you all the best mate (blue heart emoji)’

His cousin Redknapp added: ‘One of my favourite and most talented people I have worked with. Super funny and cool and never taken himself seriously. Can’t wait to smash you at golf again soon. You will be a huge success whatever you do (applause emoji)’.  

As Mail Sport reported in June, Sky cut six of their 13-strong team of football reporters after a consultation over redundancies in April.

Whilst some chose to go, and others may yet be offered alternative roles, experienced and well-respected journalists including Guy Havord, Dickie Davis, Bianca Westwood, Greg Whelan, Lynsey Hooper and Jaydee Dyer will not be continuing in their current roles.

Veteran interviewer Geoff Shreeves is believed to have been asked to take a significant pay-cut if he wants to continue at the broadcaster in another cost-cutting measure. 

Shreeves first joined Sky Sports at the advent of the Premier League in 1993, and is said to be considering his options. 

After 31 years of employment at Sky, he might be entitled to a large redunancy package should he choose to leave. He may also attract offers elswhere.  

Soccer AM’s final episode aired ahead of the last match of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, on May 27, and saw Tubes, John ‘Fenners’ Fendley – who also ended his affiliation with Sky this month – and Jimmy Bullard joined by big names including Stormzy, Jack Whitehall, and Ilkay Gundogan. 

Fendley similarly took to social media to share his farewell to the broadcaster, writing: ‘Some of the crowd are on the pitch, they think it’s all over. It is now. Full time for me. Thanks to (Sky Sports) for some amazing memories.

‘Looking forward to the future and whatever might come my way. See you all very soon.’

Jimmy Bullard (second left) hosted the final ever Soccer AM show on Saturday after 28 years

‘Tubes’ interviewed Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan on the final ever show

Geoff Shreeves was asked to take a significant pay-cut in order to stay at the broadcaster

Both Lynsey Hooper (left) and Bianca Westwood (right) were cut from Sky Sports’ line-up

Jeff Stelling hosted his last-ever Soccer Saturday on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign

In the wake of Soccer AM’s cancellation, Sky shared a statement that claimed they were looking to attune their programming to ‘the evolving needs’ of viewers. 

A spokesperson for Sky said: ‘Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.

‘We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people. We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.’

More high-profile departures from the organisation’s football coverage include that of storied commentator Martin Tyler, who will be replaced by Peter Dury from the 2023-4 season, and legendary Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling, who announced his intention to leave the flagship show in April.