Television Work

He later spent time as a sports newsreader at TV-am, Channel 4, Eurosport and British Satellite Broadcasting before moving to Sky in 1992 to present coverage of horse racing, snooker and darts. In 2003 Jeff won a sports presenter special edition of The ‘Weakest Link.’

Soccer Saturday

In 1994, Jeff became presenter of Sports Saturday, which became Gillette Soccer Saturday in 1998. Hosting a programme lasting up to six hours of football discussion and live reports on the afternoon’s games. Alongside a panel of pundits which have included Paul Merson, Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas, Alan Mullery. Frank McLintock, Chris Kamara, Rodney Marsh and the late George Best.

Since then the panel has changed but not Jeff. Much of the programme’s popularity is put down to his amazing presenting skills, humour with the panel and drive in keeping the fast paced show moving. The Guardian praising him for “exceptional professionalism and élan.” Having hosted a new version (2005-06) Sky Sports’ Ford Monday Night Football programme. Jeff went on to replace the departed Richard Keys as the main presenter of Sky’s live Champions League coverage in 2011.

Jeff Stelling On Countdown

In January 2009 Jeff took over as the new host of the Channel 4 game show Countdown following the departure of Des O’Connor. He enjoyed over three years year’s in the role. Before stepping down as presenter of Countdown at the end of 2011, to concentrate on football, including his new Champions League role.

Other Work & Honours

He appeared in an advert for Sky Broadband in 2013. This spoofed a previous Sky Broadband advert which starred Bruce Willis. In 2013, Jeff joined twentyfour7 Football Magazine and wrote columns for the magazine’s Dream Team.

In 2007 Jeff was awarded an honorary Doctor of Professional Studies by the University of Teesside. He was further named as Sports Broadcaster of the Year for five successive years; by the Sports Journalists’ Association, based on a poll of its members. Jeff has so far been the only broadcaster to win the award.

Jeff is a well-known supporter of his local club, Hartlepool United FC. During the 2008–09 season. He would use a singing toy figure of the singer James Brown singing “I Feel Good”; every time the player of the same name scored.He is also an honorary freeman of Hartlepool, a title shared with the town’s former MP Lord Peter Mandelson.

He is co-owner with football pundit Chris Kamara of the racehorse ‘Unbelievable Jeff!  A name taken from a common phrase Kamara would use in his live match reports to Jeff.