Melissa Reddy among SEVEN Sky Sports News stars leaving in major shake-up
SKY SPORTS NEWS have confirmed the departures of seven senior broadcasters as part of a major redundancy programme.
Long-serving presenter Rob Wotton announced his departure after 30 years in a tearful farewell live on air on Monday evening.
And SunSport has learned that Sky Sports News have told staff that six of Wotton’s colleagues will also be leaving in an internal memo sent yesterday.
Fellow presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor are also going this summer, along with senior reporters Jeremy Langdon and Melissa Reddy and Fadumo Olow, and a news editor.
Presenters Wotton, Draper and Taylor are believed to be leaving as part of a voluntary redundancy programme.
Wotton was in tears as he announced his departure from the company he joined in 1998 at the end of a Sky Sports News presenting shift on Monday.
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He also presented The Football Show – a look back at the weekend’s matches and talking points that aired every Monday morning – but the programme has been axed for next season.
"It's been an absolute pleasure,” Wotton said. “I came here in my 20s and I thought I was only coming for a couple of weeks.
"And look, they haven't been able to get rid of me. I keep turning up, maybe one day they'll pay me!"
Fellow presenters Draper and Taylor are also Sky stalwarts and graduated from production roles to presenting, spending 18 and 11 years respectively at the broadcaster, while well-known reporter Langdon has been at Sky for over 20 years.
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Senior Football Reporter Reddy was a new recruit three years ago, but has covered most of the biggest stories in the Premier League in that period, particularly involving Liverpool and both Manchester clubs.
Sky told staff they were embarking on a redundancy programme at the start of the month and the departures follow a period of consultation.
Sky insist the changes are not primarily a cost-cutting measure with a spokesperson saying they are aimed at “making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences”.
Mark Alford, director of Sky Sports News, said: "We would like to thank each of our colleagues for their huge contribution to Sky Sports News over the years. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours."
