Jeff Stelling returns to Countdown after 12 years as Rachel Riley puts on leggy display with ex-Soccer Saturday host
JEFF STELLING made a one-off Countdown comeback yesterday as the dictionary corner's special guest while Rachel Riley put on a leggy display for his return.
Stelling called time on his position as host of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday after 30 years last month.
Reports earlier this week suggested Stelling had been in talks with Amazon and the BBC over a return to broadcasting.
We also revealed how Stelling has no plans to retire but had reportedly been placed on gardening leave after leaving Sky.
However, the much-loved Hartlepool fanatic looked pretty in pink yesterday as he was spotted leaving the TV studios in Manchester alongside the beautiful Riley, who was decked out in the same colours.
And her long legs were on display in denim shorts as she walked alongside Stelling, who was pulling a green suitcase, on the street after his appearance.
Stelling was the special celeb guest on the show's dictionary corner, with his cameo role seeing him provide the final decision as to whether a word can be allowed or not.
Susie Dent usually performs it on-screen, while the role of off-screen lexicographer has traditionally been occupied by a member of the Oxford University Press or a member of the show's production team.
The 68-year-old Stelling previously hosted the hit show in addition to his Soccer Saturday role for two years.
But he announced in 2011 that he was quitting the long-running Channel 4 series to concentrate on his football role at Sky Sports.
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Meanwhile, Simon Thomas is reportedly among the top names being considered to succeed him as host of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show.
The former Blue Peter presenter, aged 50, is allegedly “in the picture” but Sky bosses are still insisting that no decision has yet been finalised.
Thomas quit full-time broadcast work six years ago following the tragic death of his wife Gemma.
She passed away just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Thomas, who was born in Norwich, had worked in the broadcasting industry for 18 years but took time off to look after his son, aged eight.
He left his role as lead football presenter of Sky in the process but is now back freelancing for various platforms and channels.
Now he is “hoping to return to a full-time gig in the not-so-distant future” and it is claimed that he is among the top contenders to take over from Stelling.
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