Seven Sky Sports stars AXED in shake-up as Melissa Reddy and popular host depart
Sky Sports are making major changes behind the scenes following presenter Rob Wotton's emotional farewell earlier this week, with seven more staff members set to leave the broadcaster
Sky Sports News has axed seven stars as part of a major shake-up. And the move involves several familiar faces, including popular presenter Rob Wotton and senior reporter Melissa Reddy.
Wotton bid farewell to the broadcaster in his final live appearance on Monday. The presenter was tearful as he addressed viewers live on air after working at Sky for almost three decades. An it has since been revealed that Wotton will be joined by six of his colleagues as part of a redundancy programme.
The Sun has reported that those impacted include senior reporter Reddy following a consultation period.
Presenters Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor are also leaving the channel this summer, having spent 18 and 11 years with Sky respectively.
Long-serving reporter Jeremy Langdon is set to end his 20-year association with Sky Sports News. Senior reporter Fadumo Okow and a news editor will also be leaving their roles.
Reddy was recruited by Sky Sports News as a senior reporter three years ago. During her time with the broadcaster, the South African journalist covered some of the Premier League’s top stories.
However, the latest report has revealed that news of their departures was recently shared in an internal memo following a consultation period.
It is said not to be a cost-cutting measure, with a spokesperson explaining that the personnel changes were targeted at “making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences”.
During his final Sky Sports appearance on Monday, Wotton said: "It's been an absolute pleasure.
"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!"
Wotton joined the broadcaster in 1998. He hosted The Football Show on Monday mornings, looking back at the weekend action, but that programme has been cancelled ahead of next season.
Fellow presenters Draper and Taylor were promoted from production roles to become on-screen stars during their more than 10 years working at Sky Sports News.
Meanwhile, Langdon had worked at Sky for more than 20 years.