For a new generation of sports fans, the traditional Saturday night ritual is a thing of the past. Gone are the days of settling on the sofa with the TV remote, waiting for a familiar theme tune. Today's highlights are consumed in bite-sized clips on YouTube, debated in viral threads on TikTok, and analysed by a new wave of podcasters and streamers.
Influential figures like Mark Goldbridge and Angry Ginge now shape the conversation for millions of younger viewers, who prefer to digest their sports content through the quick, accessible medium of social media rather than traditional television.
The Decline of Flagship Shows
This seismic shift in viewing habits has been well documented. Over the past 15 years, flagship football programmes such as Match of the Day, Football Focus and Soccer AM have seen a considerable decline in their audience numbers. This downward trajectory has been felt across the entire landscape of sports broadcasting.
It was not long ago that these shows regularly pulled in vast audiences and set the agenda for how sport was discussed nationwide. At the heart of this golden age of sports television was a roster of exceptionally talented presenters, who brought a unique blend of authority, deep knowledge, and engaging personality to our screens.
Here, we look back at 10 of the presenters who dominated during that era and discover where their careers and lives have taken them since.
Where Are They Now?
Georgie Thompson became a firm favourite during her decade at Sky Sports, where she proved a versatile host covering football, tennis, and Formula One. Starting in January 2001, she was a familiar face on Sky Sports News before stepping down in December 2011 to focus on F1. She presented major events like Wimbledon and was a regular on A League of Their Own. In 2014, she married sailor Sir Ben Ainslie. Now 48, she is a mother of two and has largely stepped back from broadcasting.
Chris Hollins established himself throughout the 2000s and 2010s as a warm and engaging presenter on BBC programmes like Football Focus and BBC Breakfast. The 54-year-old, who reported on the 2006 World Cup, later presented for BT Sport. He remains active on the corporate circuit and lives in Oxfordshire with his family.
Manish Bhasin was a regular fixture in football broadcasting, becoming the youngest host of Football Focus at 27 in 2004. The passionate Leicester City fan became synonymous with The Football League Show from 2009 to 2015. Now 49, he recently ended a nine-year stint hosting Matchday Live for Premier League Productions.
Jeff Stelling is one of the most recognisable voices in sports TV, anchoring Sky's Soccer Saturday for nearly three decades from 1994 until May 2023. Known for his energetic passion, the 70-year-old has no plans to retire and now fronts Prime Video's Every Game, Every Goal show.
Dan Walker made his name hosting Football Focus for 12 years from 2009, while also becoming a mainstay on BBC Breakfast. The 48-year-old has covered multiple Olympics and World Cups. In 2022, he moved to Channel 5 to anchor 5 News and now also hosts Classic FM Breakfast, stepping away from sport.
Richard Keys was a defining face of Sky Sports' live Premier League coverage from 1992. His tenure ended controversially in 2011 when he resigned following a sexism scandal. Now 68, he has continued working for networks like beIN Sports and talkSPORT, and frequently comments on the game from his home in Doha.
Sue Barker, a former French Open champion, became a national treasure as the face of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage for 30 years, from 1994 to 2022. She also hosted A Question of Sport for 23 years. The 69-year-old stepped down from her broadcasting roles and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
Hazel Irvine has been a respected BBC voice since 1990, anchoring every Summer Olympics since 1992. She made history as the youngest presenter of Grandstand in 1993. Awarded an MBE in 2024, she has scaled back her on-screen work but remains with the corporation.
Jim Rosenthal enjoyed a glittering 50-year career, presenting major events across ITV including the 2003 Rugby World Cup and eight FIFA World Cups. Now 78, he left ITV in 2008 and has since worked for BoxNation, Channel 5, and Prime Video. In 2024, he was appointed to the board of Northampton Town FC.
Ray Stubbs built a durable 26-year career at the BBC after a brief football stint, presenting Football Focus from 1999 to 2004. He left for ESPN UK in 2009 and later worked for BT Sport until 2016. The 69-year-old has recently presented the World Seniors Darts Championship.
A Changing Media Landscape
The careers of these presenters trace the arc of a bygone era in sports consumption. Their authority and scheduled appointments with viewers have been replaced by the algorithm-driven, on-demand world of social media influencers and streamers. While their flagship shows have dwindled in influence, the legacy of these broadcasters who dominated the golden age of sports TV remains a significant chapter in British media history.
