JEFF STELLING paid a classy tribute to Laura Woods as he kicked off his new talkSPORT job in style.
The presenter left Sky Sports in emotional scenes in May after more than 25 years of service.
But he is already back in the frame after replacing Woods – now with TNT Sports – on the radio breakfast show.
On his first morning, Stelling said: “I have to say it is great to be here.
“I’ve been a fan of the talkSPORT breakfast show since the days of Alan and Ronnie Irani and Beaky and Mike Parry.
“I’m following in some big footsteps as well, those of Laura, but luckily I have the best co-host in the business! Alongside me, Ally (McCoist).”
Woods spent three years at talkSPORT but left to join TNT’s revamped team.
So it left a gap to fill which Stelling gladly jumped into – as it meant keeping his 25 and 23-year-old sons off his back.
He told SunSport: “I want to say to people that I am not retired. I am just doing something a bit different.
“My sons, who are 25 and 23, keep collecting fliers from the care homes in Winchester, adverts for stairlifts and things like that.
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“They leave them on my desk at home. They take the mickey out of me non-stop.
“A subtle hint maybe, but I want to show them there is still a bit of life yet.”
Former Scottish international McCoist beamed as he welcomed his new colleague on to the show.
And Stelling revealed to us: “Everyone has welcomed me with open arms.
“The only slight concern is that people have been saying: ‘Ah brilliant, you’re going to be fantastic!’
“I hope I am! It is so different to what I have been used to for the last 30 years or so. I want to repay people by living up to expectations.
“I still get those nerves. It is a cliche but it makes you try harder and prepare for it more.”
