The original Sky Sports News line-up reunited this week to mark presenter Clare Tomlinson’s departure from the network after almost three decades.
Tomlinson, 58, was one of the legendary presenters to feature in Sky Sports News’ original line-up, alongside the likes of Dave Clark, Carrie Frais, Kelly Dalglish (Cates), Julian Waters and Mike Wedderburn when the programme launched in 1998.
She was joined by past and present Sky Sports News staff at the celebration on Monday night, although a few former colleagues such as Wedderburn and Rhodri Williams were unable to attend.
Taking to Instagram, Tomlinson said: ‘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!’
Tomlinson shared a photograph of herself with Clark, Frais, Cates and Waters, smiling as they stood behind a picture of the full lineup, including Wedderburn, taken ahead of Sky Sports News’ launch in 1998.
Iconic former Sky Sports News presenters Dave Clark, Carrie Frais, Kelly Cates, Clare Tomlinson and Julian Waters (left to right) reunited for a celebratory evening this week
They made up Sky Sports News’ first presenter line-up, along with Mike Wedderburn (bottom)
Tomlinson was a regular face to viewers of Sky’s broadcasting for almost three decades
Clark, who announced his exit from Sky Sports in 2020, wrote in the comments: ‘Totally love seeing you all last night.’
Former Sky Sports News presenter Sam Matterface, who worked on the programme between 2007 and 2010 before later taking on the role of lead football and England commentator at ITV, also attended the celebration and posted: ‘A lovely evening. Well done CT.’
Tomlinson also shared a separate post to her X profile, which included another picture of her alongside Cates and Frais at the event, fittingly posing in front of Sky’s coverage of Everton vs Manchester United.
Asked by an X account whether disgraced former Sky Sports News anchor Richard Keys was there, Tomlinson appeared to take a brutal swipe at her old colleague with the response ‘NFI’.
Many have speculated online that these three letters are an acronym for ‘not f***ing invited’, a claim which was only furthered by Tomilinson when she replied ‘nearly’ to a guess of ‘never fecking included’.
Tomlinson was unfortunately placed at the centre of Sky Sports’ sexism row in 2011 when Keys and Andy Gray made sexist comments to her while she was working as a touchline reporter.
In a leaked 30-second clip from their time as Sky presenters, Gray and Keys are heard wolf-whistling at Tomlinson as she prepares to report to camera pitchside, before breaking into a chant of ‘Get your t**s out for the lads’. Gray then makes one final distasteful comment before the footage cuts off.
The reunion comes just weeks after Tomlinson announced she had worked her final presenting shift at Sky Sports on Christmas Day.
Tomlinson appeared to take a brutal swipe at disgraced former Sky colleague Richard Keys
Tomlinson was unfortunately placed at the centre of Sky Sports’ sexism row in 2011 when Keys (right) and Andy Gray (left) made sexist comments to her while she was working as a reporter
Sharing the news on social media, along with a picture of her on set with partner Carl Rumney, she said: ‘My last shift on Sky! 27 years later, it’s time to say goodbye. Merry Christmas!’
Her message sparked an influx of well-wishes from colleagues past and present.
Jeff Stelling, who hosted Soccer Saturday for almost 30 years on Sky, wrote: ‘You have been amazing Clare. Was a pleasure working with you/watching you for so long.’ Broadcaster Rob Palmer wrote: ‘The consummate professional The First Lady of Sky Sports.’
Current Sky Sports presenter Mark McAdam added: ‘One of the originals and true pioneer…’. While horse racing journalist Mike Cattermole posted: ‘Clare, well done, you have been consistently brilliant!’
Tomlinson’s departure is understood not to be linked to the recent job cuts at Sky.
Earlier this year a number of well-known faces were made redundant in changes first revealed by Daily Mail Sport.
Reporter Melissa Reddy, presenter Rob Wotton and colleagues Teddy Draper, Jasper Taylor, Jeremy Langdon and Fadumo Olow were all cut.
Tomlinson’s credits while working at Sky including presenting Goals on Sunday, working as a reporter on Super Sunday and anchoring Sky Sports News’ late show Through The Night.
She has appeared less frequently in recent years, operating on a freelance basis.