JEFF STELLING apologised to Sky Sports viewers after Paul Merson was heard munching on his crisps live on air.
Presenter Stelling, 66, was still reading out the half-time scores when he was distracted by colleague Merson.
Viewers could hear rustling in the background and Stelling revealed it was Merson tucking into a refreshment.
Stelling said: “The noise you could hear in the background was that of sweet chilli and pepper crisps from Paul Merson.
“You can see in front of him on the desk it’s not just one packet there’s two!
“And before we came on the air Merson said ‘im on a diet as from now’.
“Well that’s one new year’s resolution that went really well! Before 4 o’clock on New Years Day and it is caput!”
It is not the first time Merson has interfered by eating crisps this season.
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He did so in November – again when half-time scores were being read out, and Stelling called him out for it.
Stelling held up the packet of Proper Chips to the camera, and joked: “You may have briefly heard some interference as we were going to the commercial break and I was finishing with the scores… and this is the reason.
“They were in Paul Merson’s hands at the time – he was eating his crisps.
“And do you know what the worst thing about it is? Look, they are BBQ lentil!
“What happened to salt and vinegar for goodness sake! What kind of man are you these days?”
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