Jeff Stelling shares Sky Sports News regret and says 'old white blokes have had our day'

Jeff Stelling has admitted he regrets agreeing to stay on at for another three years after initially handing in his notice in 2020. The 69-year-old intended to quit the corporation after they axed Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas but was persuaded to carry on until his presenting duties were taken on by Simon Thomas in 2023.

Stelling began fronting Sky's Soccer Saturday in 1994, two years after the formation of the Premier League.

He carved out a reputation as one of the best presenters in the business as he steered the show to huge success.

Stelling now presents the breakfast show on talkSPORT two days a week and has just released his autobiography.

And after being asked by whether he regretted going back on his original plan to quit Sky in 2020, he said: "Yes, I do. But I'd been cocooned by Sky for so many years. This wonderful, privileged life, I was treated very well, got a good salary.

"I still enjoyed a lot of it - not maybe as much as I had done - but to step outside was a big move. I guess I was afraid of the big wide world. Ultimately, if I'd gone at the same time as them, maybe it might have been the right thing for me."

Stelling is an outsider to succeed Gary Lineker as Match of the Day presenter after the BBC confirmed the former England international would .

But the Hartlepool supporter ruled himself out of the role as he explained: "No, no, we old white blokes have had our day in the sun.

"Hard as it is - and believe me I've found it hard - we've just got to accept we had a great run, and say good luck to the next lot coming in. If they enjoy it as much as I have done, then they will have a wonderful time."

And touching upon his new breakfast presenting duties, he added: "Having stepped out into the big wide world to find people still want you at 69 is fantastic.

"All I want to do is carry on doing what I can while people want to listen to me.

"Barry Hearn was in the studio this morning. He's 76, he gets as much joy now from doing a deal as he did 30 years ago. That's sort of the way I feel."