Kelly Cates ‘to QUIT Sky Sports to become one of THREE new Match of the Day hosts’ in huge BBC shake-up
KELLY CATES is set to QUIT her Sky Sports role to become a host on Match of the Day, according to reports.
She will become one of three presenters on the country’s flagship football show after Gary Lineker steps down at the end of the season, report the Daily Mail.
It is believed Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman will share hosting duties on Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 with Cates.
Both are BBC presenters who have worked on the shows over the last few years.
Cates has worked for the BBC on and off since 2013, for Radio 5 Live.
She presented iconic fan phone-in show 606 alongside Ian Wright on Sunday’s between 2013 and 2018.
After joining Sky Sports her role was reduced, but Cates returned to host a midweek sports show, 5 Live Sport, mostly on Tuesdays, while she also provided coverage of the 2022 World Cup.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish became a TV presenter at Sky Sports, working on several Premier League shows including Friday Night Live and Super Sunday, which she appeared on for the Manchester Derby today.
Sky Sports bosses are reportedly sad to see her leave – but she was understood to be the BBC’s leading external candidate to take over from icon Lineker.
Logan and Chapman, who have worked for the BBC for several years including on Match of the Day, both received public backing for the role of host.
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Iconic TV host Lorraine Kelly put Logan’s name forward, saying: “While his [Gary’s] replacement has not yet been announced it’s been suggested a woman could be taking over.
“With Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Laura Woods among the favourites.
“Can I just put out there – no disrespect to the other two – but Gabby Logan would be a-ma-zing.
“She is fantastic, she makes it look easy, she knows everything about everything and she’s wonderful.”
While Ally McCoist recommended ‘Chappers’, saying: “Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. I feel it’s an iconic show and you’re used to seeing one person.
“I want to go and see one person, whether that be Chappers or that be Kelly [Somers]. I know both of them, great, great people.”
SunSport has contacted Sky Sports and the BBC for comment.