Jeff Stelling, the esteemed broadcaster, has revealed that he will be taking a temporary break from hosting his talkSPORT breakfast show. The iconic presenter, who departed from Sky Sports in 2023, will step away from his duties on the 6-10am slot from Monday to Wednesday for a period of two to three weeks. Listeners have been assured that this absence is not connected to any health concerns, with Stelling emphasizing it is purely for relaxation.
Stelling's Announcement and Future Plans
During Tuesday's broadcast, Stelling addressed his audience directly, stating, 'We’ve had so many texts [on today's show] that I’m going to have to take a break, which is what I’m going to do for the next two or three weeks.' He added, 'I’m just going to chill out for a bit of rest and relaxation. I’ll see you when I’m back.' This announcement comes shortly after an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Sport, where Stelling expressed his intention to continue presenting for many years to come.
Passion for Broadcasting and New Ventures
In the interview, Stelling shared his unwavering enthusiasm for his work, saying, 'I love it. I feel exactly the same as I did when I was in my mid-30s, my mid-40s, my mid-50s. I don’t see any reason to stop. As long as people ask me to do it, I’m going to carry on.' He also addressed criticism from some listeners, noting, 'People will tell me, “you’re an old fart, you’re out of touch with modern views,” and sometimes they do now! Sometimes I get called a dinosaur – a pet hate, by the way. If anybody texts me, do not call me a dinosaur! It doesn’t matter if I’m 70 and you’re 17. Our opinions have got equal merit.'
Looking ahead, Stelling is set to launch a new podcast with OLBG, which he will host alongside his talkSPORT commitments. He described the podcast as an opportunity to explore beyond sports, saying, 'It was an opportunity to do a podcast which wasn’t just sports-based but to find out a little bit about people’s lives. It will be people from the world of sport but we may not concentrate on which games and trophies they’ve won. I’d like to hear their backstory. In this day and age, they’re so managed that we hear their answers about that game, that race, that match, but we don’t necessarily know them as human beings.'
Daily Routine and Colleague's Experience
Despite his early starts, with his alarm set for 4.30am for the talkSPORT morning shows, Stelling has maintained his energy and passion. His break follows a similar incident involving his colleague Alan Brazil, who missed two weeks of work last month due to illness. Upon his return, Brazil humorously remarked, 'I’m still alive. The big news this morning is I’m alive and kicking. I’ve never had so many texts and emails asking, "Are you alright? Are you dead? Are you dying?" Give us a break. Honestly.' He explained his absence was due to a severe ear infection, adding, 'It was my ears. I had a big infection in my right ear and my left ear was blocked. I was sat here thinking I was going to fall off my chair. It’s the worst I have been, terrible. These lights (in the studio) don’t help. I have said to them to turn the lights down but do they listen? It’s stupid.'
Stelling's brief hiatus underscores his dedication to balancing work and well-being, while his upcoming projects highlight his continued relevance in the broadcasting world.
