Disgraced former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has firmly declared he is not retiring after breaking his silence on leaving his role at beIN Sports this summer. In his latest blog post, Keys personally addressed his departure, emphatically stating there is 'a whole lot more to come' in his career.
Departure from beIN Sports
Reports emerged last week that Keys had been informed by the network that his contract would not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season. It was also confirmed that Andy Gray, Keys' long-term broadcasting partner and close friend, will similarly depart beIN Sports this summer. Both broadcasters are said to be relocating back to the United Kingdom, with initial speculation suggesting they might be considering retirement.
A spokesman for Keys previously told the Daily Mail that both Keys and Gray had mutually agreed to leave beIN, with their final broadcasts scheduled for May this year. In his blog post, Keys wrote: 'There has been no fall out between myself and beINSPORTS. I’ve loved every minute of my time in Qatar - a country that means the world to me. I have a deep affection for it, but it’s time for me to move on. I’m not retiring - simply changing course. There’s a whole lot more to come yet.'
Background and Controversies
Keys and Gray, both 70, have resided in Doha since 2013, following their exit from Sky Sports in 2011 amid a significant sexism scandal. The controversy erupted when a series of sexist remarks made by Keys and Gray about female assistant referee Sian Massey were leaked after they believed their microphones were off. Gray was subsequently sacked by Sky Sports after a video surfaced showing him making inappropriate comments to presenter Charlotte Jackson, with Keys resigning from his £500,000-a-year role shortly thereafter.
The shamed ex-Sky Sports host later threatened legal action against Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan after her 2022 memoir, The First Half, accused the duo of making sexist remarks about her pregnancy during a flight to the 2005 Champions League final. After being labelled 'dinosaurs waiting to become extinct' by Logan, Keys responded: 'I did more for her, in the early part of her career, than anybody. Andy and I were easy targets. It's easy to have a go at us. I don't intend to see her in court, but I think there are things that can be settled away from that.' Gray added his disappointment, emphasizing his focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on past allegations.
Personal Life and Future Plans
According to The Telegraph, Keys, 68, is set to move in permanently with his 37-year-old wife, Lucie Rose, with whom he has maintained a long-distance relationship since their secret £20,000 wedding ceremony in Devon in June 2023. His son Joshua and daughter Jemma, who was previously one of Lucie Rose's closest friends before the romantic involvement, did not attend the wedding.
The presenter's relationship with Lucie Rose led to his split from Julia Keys after 36 years of marriage in 2016, with his ex-wife revealing how the affair devastated her during her recovery from thyroid cancer and negatively impacted their children. Julia stated the affair ruined the career of her Hollyoaks actress daughter, Jemma, who spiraled into alcoholism and depression. Jemma also faced legal action over abusive texts sent to Lucie Rose, though charges were eventually dropped by prosecutors.
During their tenure at beIN Sports, Keys and Gray fronted coverage of the Premier League and Champions League across 24 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and presented for the network at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. As they prepare for their next chapter, Keys remains adamant that retirement is not on the horizon, signaling a potential shift in his broadcasting career rather than an end.
