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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Chris Kamara breaks silence on claims he will leave Sky Sports Soccer Saturday

Chris Kamara has shot down speculation he will be leaving Sky Sports ' popular Soccer Saturday programme.

A report on Sunday claimed the 64-year-old had decided to follow colleague Jeff Stelling out the door after the long-serving host announced he would be leaving at the end of the season.

Kamara has worked for Sky since 1999, four years after he hung up his boots and following spells as manager of Bradford City and Stoke City.

He has since established himself as a fan favourite on Sky Sports' weekly results show with his spirited coverage of fixtures from grounds up and down the country.

And in an update which will be welcomed by many, Kamara took to social media to declare reports he will be leaving Soccer Saturday are the first he has heard of any exit.

Who is your favourite pundit or reporter on television? Have your say in the comments!

Chris Kamara has established himself as a fan favourite (Getty Images)

"Today's story is news to me even though some of you have noticed that I've had a few weeks off Sky Sports I'm back on the 12th March," he wrote on Twitter.

"Looking forward to seeing Jeff and the Soccer Saturday gang again."

While Kamara has suggested he will not be leaving the show, Stelling confirmed he will be departing at the end of the season during an edition of Soccer Saturday in October.

"I have loved every moment of my 30 years with Sky, but like every Saturday afternoon the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle," the 66-year-old said in an accompanying statement.

"I am proud to have been part of such a winning team for so long and look forward to the many more special moments on Soccer Saturday for rest of this season - and perhaps even another promotion push from Hartlepool United."

Stelling was hailed as a "true broadcasting legend" in a touching tribute from Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht.

"Jeff is a true broadcasting legend and has been a big part of Sky Sports growth and popularity over the last 30 years," Licht said.

"Jeff's pure passion and dedication to the game has set him apart and made Soccer Saturday a fixture for millions of fans every Saturday afternoon."

Jeff Stelling is leaving Sky Sports Soccer Saturday at the end of the season (©Sky UK Limited)

Referencing the famous incident when Kamara missed a red card in a match between Portsmouth and Blackburn, Licht added: "The goals, the laughs, the red cards and the missed red cards have helped create one of the most popular TV shows in sport and Jeff has been the centrepiece of that.

"Jeff will be sorely missed, but we are delighted that he will leading the team through to the end of the season.

"There will rightly be many tributes to Jeff, and Sky Sports will be giving him the great send off in May that his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves."

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