Des Kelly, a well-known presenter and pitchside reporter for BT Sport, has left the channel ahead of its rebrand to TNT Sports on July 18. This news comes shortly after the departure of host Jake Humphrey, making Kelly the second high-profile personality to leave BT’s football coverage in recent weeks.
Kelly, 58, had been with BT for 10 years and was last seen presenting pitchside at the Champions League final. However, it was reported that he caused controversy during the broadcast by asking for the autograph of Manchester City player Ilkay Gundogan live on air. This incident is said to have “shocked” his colleagues, who considered him an integral part of the team.
Prior to his career at BT Sport, Kelly worked as a newspaper journalist. He initially started with an evening chat-show before transitioning into his role as a touchline reporter. He gained recognition for challenging Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on multiple occasions when the German criticized broadcasters for their involvement in fixture scheduling.
Kelly’s request for Gundogan’s autograph drew criticism, but he defended himself by stating that he planned to auction it for charity. Despite his departure and the rebrand to TNT Sports, significant changes in presenters and pundits are not expected. Laura Woods is rumored to take over from Humphrey for Champions League games, while Lynsey Hipgrave is set to continue as the organization’s main presenter.
The departure of Des Kelly from BT Sport marks a significant change for the channel’s football coverage. Kelly was a familiar face and voice for viewers, known for his insightful reporting and challenging interviews with managers. His exit has left colleagues and fans surprised, as he was considered an essential part of the team.
During his tenure at BT Sport, Kelly built a reputation for his confrontational interviews with Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool manager often criticized broadcasters for their role in fixture scheduling, and Kelly was not afraid to challenge him on these issues. This made for compelling television and added an extra layer of analysis to the coverage.
However, it was Kelly’s request for Gundogan’s autograph during the Champions League final that caused controversy. Many viewers felt that it was unprofessional and inappropriate for a journalist to ask for an autograph while on live television. Kelly defended himself by stating that he planned to auction the autograph for charity, but the incident still drew criticism.
Despite these controversies, Kelly’s departure is not expected to result in significant changes to BT Sport’s football coverage. The rebrand to TNT Sports is primarily a name change, and the channel will likely continue with its current lineup of presenters and pundits. Laura Woods is rumored to take over from Jake Humphrey for Champions League games, while Lynsey Hipgrave will continue as the main presenter.
Overall, Des Kelly’s departure from BT Sport marks the end of an era for the channel’s football coverage. His confrontational interviews and insightful reporting will be missed by viewers. While his request for Gundogan’s autograph caused controversy, it should not overshadow his contributions to the channel over the past decade. As BT Sport transitions to TNT Sports, fans will be eager to see how the new brand and lineup of presenters and pundits shape the future of football coverage on the channel.