Sky Sports host Simon Thomas forced to cancel Soccer Saturday appearance with replacement drafted in at last minute
SOCCER SATURDAY host Simon Thomas will not appear on the Sky Sports show this afternoon after contracting Covid.
The presenter, 50, will be replaced by journalist and broadcaster Caroline Barker.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: “Sadly no #soccersaturday for me today – #Covid has hit the Thomas household.
“@carolinebarker is in the hot seat today. Go well CB – you’ll be brilliant. See you next week. ”
Football fans offered their support for Thomas as they wished him a speedy recovery.
One said: “Get well soon Sir – been a cracking start!”
Another added: “Hope you’re all feeling better and testing negative soon Simon .”
While a third replied: “You can watch City, Simon, that should cheer you up get well soon.”
Thomas took over from long-standing Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling after his 25-year stint as the show’s presenter concluded at the end of last season.
He broke through as a host of Blue Peter in 1999.
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But he has now been with Sky Sports for many years and first began hosting Premier League coverage at the starting of the 2016/17 season.
Meanwhile, his replacement, Barker, made her name as a BBC Radio reporter.
Nowadays, she is known as the host of The Totally Football League Show on Sky Sports.
Barker is also a netball commentator and pundit and has hosted other sporting events such as the Champions League of Darts and NFL International Series.