Veteran football broadcaster Jeff Stelling, aged 71, has officially joined the cast of the BBC's upcoming series Celebrity Race Across the World, participating alongside his son Matthew. According to a report published in The Sun newspaper, the esteemed talkSPORT Breakfast host has already completed filming for the programme, which is scheduled to premiere later this year, though an exact broadcast date remains unconfirmed by the BBC.
Stelling Embraces New Challenge
A source close to the production revealed to The Sun that Jeff Stelling enthusiastically accepted the invitation to compete. 'Jeff absolutely loves a challenge and when he was approached by the BBC to take part in Celebrity Race Across the World, he went for it,' the insider stated. 'He entered with his son Matt and they had a blast together. The BBC know it’s a coup to get Jeff in the competition as he’s so well respected in the football world.'
Celebrity Competition Line-Up
Stelling and his son will face off against a roster of other celebrity contestants, including Junior Andre, aged 20, and Princess Andre, aged 18, who are the children of well-known personalities Katie Price and Peter Andre. The programme promises to deliver high-stakes travel adventures as teams race across various global destinations under challenging conditions.
Stelling's Illustrious Broadcasting Career
Jeff Stelling is best recognised for his monumental 29-year tenure as the presenter of Sky Sports' iconic Soccer Saturday programme, a role he departed in 2023. His extensive career in television also includes hosting duties on Channel 4's Countdown and fronting an ITV game show titled Alphabetical. A devoted Hartlepool United superfan, Stelling has also made a memorable cameo appearance in the acclaimed Apple TV series Ted Lasso.
Current Role and Recent Break
Since leaving Sky Sports, Stelling has been co-hosting the talkSPORT Breakfast show on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6am to 10am alongside former footballer Ally McCoist. However, in February of this year, he announced he would be taking an extended hiatus. '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 explained at the time. 'I’m just going to chill out for a bit of rest and relaxation. I’ll see you when I’m back.' He has not yet returned to his regular broadcasting slot.
Honours and Future Ambitions
In 2023, Jeff Stelling was honoured with an MBE for his dedicated fundraising and campaigning efforts for prostate cancer charities. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Sport earlier this year, Stelling expressed his intention to continue his presenting career for many years to come. '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,' he affirmed.
Addressing Critics and New Projects
Stelling also addressed critics who might dismiss him due to his age. '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,' he declared. He hinted at potential future projects, including a podcast focused on exploring the personal stories of sports figures beyond their professional achievements. '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 back story,' Stelling elaborated.
