Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has urged the BBC to be cautious of seeking to appease a younger audience, following the announcement of Gary Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day.
Last week, it was revealed that Lineker, 63, will step down from his role as the host of the broadcaster’s flagship football programme at the end of the current season.
The footballer-turned-pundit has been the permanent presenter of the show since 1999, taking over from Des Lynam.
However, with Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s director of sport, now taking the show in a different direction, rumours have swirled of a variety of different options to replace Lineker in the hot seat.
Kay-Jelski, who was appointed by the broadcaster in April, is said to believe a new presenter could help win over young viewers.
In spite of that, Stelling doesn’t agree with the premise of catering to a more youthful audience, believing programmes should be for all generations to enjoy.
Jeff Stelling has urged the BBC to be careful about seeking for a younger ‘demographic’
BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski (left) is looking to take Match of the Day in a new direction and Gary Lineker has in turn step down as host
Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman is one of the front-runners to take over from Lineker
Speaking to the Telegraph, Stelling said: ‘Demographics? I’ve never bought the stuff about a new demographic.
‘It’s a forlorn pursuit to look for a younger audience that probably aren’t interested in the programme anyway by having younger presenters, influencers, social-media types.
‘I’ve never believed that was the way forward. Call me old fashioned, but I’ve always felt the way to attract an audience of any demographic is to make sure you put out a high-quality product.
‘If the programme is watched by mums and dads in their forties, make sure it is good enough so that when the new generation reach their forties it is something they want to watch.
‘If I’m going to hear somebody talking about a football match, I’d rather it was somebody who had played the game and is able to see things people like me standing on the terraces can’t see than is a big figure on social media.’
Various potential hosts have been mentioned in the running for MotD, with a revolving cast of presenters also reportedly being a possibility.
Names such as Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates, and Reshmin Chowdhury have all been rumoured to be in the running.
However, one of the primary contenders to take the position is Mark Chapman, who is the current Match of the Day 2 presenter.
Stelling believes Chapman ‘is the man for the job’ as the BBC search for Lineker’s replacement
Stelling was Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday host for 29 years before the show was taken in a new direction
And Stelling, who was the face of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday for 29 years, has endorsed Chapman for the vacant position at the BBC.
‘Chappers is the man for the job,’ said Stelling. ‘Great presenter, nice sense of humour, good rapport with the guests, he’s got to be the man, surely.’
Chapman had been seen as the favourite for the position, but reports have also suggested that the 51-year-old has concerns about taking the position on a full-time basis.
The broadcaster also works within the BBC as Radio 5 Live host and presents Carabao Cup coverage for Stelling’s former employers, Sky Sports.
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