Original Sky Sports News Presenters Gather for Clare Tomlinson's Farewell Celebration
In a nostalgic gathering this week, the original Sky Sports News presenter lineup reunited to celebrate Clare Tomlinson's final shift with the network after nearly three decades of service. Tomlinson, 58, was a foundational member of the team when the programme launched in 1998, alongside fellow iconic presenters Dave Clark, Carrie Frais, Kelly Dalglish (now Cates), Julian Waters, and Mike Wedderburn.
A Night of Nostalgia and Camaraderie
The celebratory evening brought together almost the entire original crew, with the exception of Mike Wedderburn, who was broadcasting until 10 PM but joined later, and former rugby specialist Rhodri Williams, who was unable to travel from Doha. Tomlinson took to Instagram to express her gratitude, posting: 'Brilliant night celebrating my 28 years at Sky Sports with colleagues old and new. The original presenting line up from 1998 (minus Rhodri who couldn’t make it over from Doha and Mike who was on air till 10 but came along after). Thank you to everyone who came and raised a glass!'
She shared a photograph capturing the moment, showing herself smiling alongside Clark, Frais, Cates, and Waters, standing behind a historic picture of the full 1998 lineup that included Wedderburn. The image served as a poignant reminder of the programme's beginnings and the enduring bonds formed among its pioneers.
Heartfelt Tributes from Colleagues
The reunion follows Tomlinson's announcement just weeks ago that she had worked her final presenting shift on Christmas Day, marking the end of a 27-year tenure. Her departure sparked an outpouring of well-wishes from colleagues across the sports broadcasting industry. Jeff Stelling, former host of Soccer Saturday, wrote: 'You have been amazing Clare. Was a pleasure working with you/watching you for so long.' Broadcaster Rob Palmer hailed her as 'The consummate professional The First Lady of Sky Sports,' while current presenter Mark McAdam added: 'One of the originals and true pioneer…'
Dave Clark, who left Sky Sports in 2020, commented on the reunion: 'Totally love seeing you all last night.' Former Sky Sports News presenter Sam Matterface, now ITV's lead football and England commentator, also attended and posted: 'A lovely evening. Well done CT.'
Tomlinson's Legacy and Career Highlights
During her extensive career at Sky, Tomlinson's credits included presenting Goals on Sunday, reporting on Super Sunday, and anchoring the late-night show Through The Night on Sky Sports News. In recent years, she had operated on a freelance basis, appearing less frequently but maintaining her status as a beloved figure in sports broadcasting. Her departure is understood to be unrelated to the recent job cuts at Sky, which saw several well-known faces, including reporter Melissa Reddy and presenter Rob Wotton, made redundant earlier this year.
Tomlinson's tenure was not without controversy; she was unfortunately placed at the centre of Sky Sports' sexism row in 2011 when presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys made derogatory comments about her while she worked as a touchline reporter. In a leaked clip, they were heard wolf-whistling and chanting inappropriate remarks, leading to their disgraceful exit from the broadcaster. This incident highlighted the challenges faced by women in the industry, but Tomlinson's professionalism and resilience shone through, cementing her reputation as a trailblazer.
As the original Sky Sports News team toasted her contributions, the evening served as a fitting tribute to Tomlinson's pioneering role in sports journalism. Her legacy as one of the network's first presenters continues to inspire, with colleagues and fans alike celebrating her nearly three decades of dedication and excellence in broadcasting.
