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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Rio Ferdinand sends emotional parting message to Jake Humphrey after final BT Sport game

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to Jake Humphrey during BT Sport's coverage of the Champions League final, with the broadcast the presenter's final one.

Manchester City beat Inter Milan 1-0 thanks to a strike from Rodri as they won the Champions League for the first time in their history and completed a historic treble in the process. And before BT Sport's coverage ended, Ferdinand sent an emotional parting message to Humphrey.

After a decade as the face of football on BT Sport, the presenter has left to "pursue other projects and fulfil other ambitions" ahead of the broadcaster's rebrand as TNT Sports next month.

"Just before we do go, everyone knows this is your last appearance on BT Sport and I'd like to say the 10 or so years we've worked together and everybody else - I'm just speaking on behalf of everybody else - have had wonderful times with you," Ferdinand said.

"The support you've given me personally, and I know all the other guys are the same, people behind and in front of the camera. Whatever you go on to do I'm sure you will be a success, but make sure you do it to a high performance. Good luck."

To which Humphrey replied: "The pleasure's been all mine and this evening sums up how special this job is and how great it is to spend time with all of you." The former BBC presenter announced his departure from BT last month, stating in a social media post: "After 10 wonderful years, I am stepping back from BT.

"As a football fan, hosting Premier League matches, FA Cup games and European Finals has meant the world to me. It has been my dream job. I've loved being a very small part of a world class production team.

The Champions League final was Humphrey's final BT Sport broadcast (Getty Images)

"I also feel blessed to have shared the screen with legends of the game and incredible broadcasters, who have become friends. Thank you all. When I joined BT in 2013 I didn't have children, Whisper Group was in its infancy and I didn't even know what a podcast was!

"A decade on, Whisper now has hundreds of team members who I want to work with more, and the impact of High Performance amazes me daily. I'm also not ashamed to say I remain hugely ambitious.

"Stepping back from BT will allow me space to pursue other projects and fulfil other ambitions. I'm excited. To everyone that's watched and commented both good and bad(!), thank you! It's been a blast…x"

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