Jeff Stelling Takes a Well-Earned Break from talkSPORT Breakfast Show
Veteran broadcaster Jeff Stelling, a familiar voice to sports fans across the nation, has announced he will be stepping away from his popular talkSPORT breakfast show for a period of rest and relaxation. The esteemed presenter, who made the significant move from Sky Sports in 2023, will be absent from the helm of the 6-10 am weekday program between Monday and Wednesday for an “extended break,” as confirmed by the radio station.
Listeners tuning in for their morning dose of sports analysis and banter will need to go without their favourite host for approximately two to three weeks. Crucially, talkSPORT has reassured fans that Stelling’s temporary departure is in no way related to his health, a point Stelling himself emphasised during Tuesday’s broadcast.
“We’ve had so many texts [on today’s show] that I’m going to have to take a break, which is what I’m going to do for the next two or three weeks,” Stelling revealed to his audience. “I’m just going to chill out for a bit of rest and relaxation. I’ll see you when I’m back.”
This break comes as Stelling continues to embrace new ventures alongside his commitments with talkSPORT. In an exclusive interview conducted a few weeks prior, Stelling expressed his enduring passion for broadcasting and his intention to continue in the industry for many years to come.
He is set to launch a new podcast in collaboration with OLBG, a project that will run concurrently with his existing radio work. Stelling articulated his unwavering enthusiasm for his profession, stating, “I love it. I feel exactly the same as I did when I was in my mid-30s, my mid-40s, my mid-50s. I don’t see any reason to stop. As long as people ask me to do it, I’m going to carry on.”
Addressing potential criticisms, Stelling offered a robust defence of his perspective, asserting, “People will tell me, ‘you’re an old fart, you’re out of touch with modern views,’ and sometimes they do now! Sometimes I get called a dinosaur – a pet hate, by the way. If anybody texts me, do not call me a dinosaur! It doesn’t matter if I’m 70 and you’re 17. Our opinions have got equal merit.”
The upcoming podcast, Stelling explained, aims to delve deeper into the lives of his guests. “It was an opportunity to do a podcast which wasn’t just sports-based but to find out a little bit about people’s lives,” he elaborated. “It will be people from the world of sport but we may not concentrate on which games and trophies they’ve won. I’d like to hear their backstory. In this day and age, they’re so managed that we hear their answers about that game, that race, that match, but we don’t necessarily know them as human beings.”
Stelling’s dedication is evident in his demanding schedule. For his morning shows with talkSPORT, his alarm is set for a formidable 4:30 am, yet his energy and enthusiasm for the job remain undimmed.
This temporary absence for Stelling follows a similar situation last month when his colleague, Alan Brazil, had to take a fortnight off due to illness. Brazil, upon his return, humorously recounted his experience, stating, “I’m still alive. The big news this morning is I’m alive and kicking. I’ve never had so many texts and emails asking, ‘Are you alright? Are you dead? Are you dying?’ Give us a break. Honestly.”
Brazil detailed the nature of his ailment: “It was my ears. I had a big infection in my right ear and my left ear was blocked. I was sat here thinking I was going to fall off my chair. It’s the worst I have been, terrible. These lights (in the studio) don’t help. I have said to them to turn the lights down but do they listen? It’s stupid.”
While Stelling’s break is for rest and rejuvenation, it highlights the demanding nature of live broadcasting and the dedication required from its prominent figures. The talkSPORT team will undoubtedly ensure a smooth transition during his absence, with listeners eagerly anticipating his return to the airwaves.
