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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jake Bayliss

Why is Laura Woods leaving talkSPORT? Presenter next's role and return hint

Radio host Laura Woods has bid farewell to talkSPORT in her final breakfast show.

Woods has become a household name among sport fans during her three-year stint on the show. The popular presenter, 35, is also part of ITV’s football coverage and hosts Premier League matches on Amazon Prime, as well as working with DAZN.

It was announced earlier this month that Woods would be leaving talkSPORT, with suggestions that she could be set to replace Jake Humphrey as the face of BT Sport, who are set to rebrand to TNT Sports. In Woods’ final show, the presenter joked about changing her mind, signing off with a heartfelt goodbye and a message for her talkSPORT successor.

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“I’ve done all the speeches and stuff like that, so I’ll try not to bore you,” Woods said. “Whoever gets this job next, whoever gets the pleasure of sitting in this chair, I don’t think I realised the impact you can have on people’s lives and that’s been the biggest thing that I’ve learned. This job is the best thing you’ll ever experience.

“It has been the biggest honour of my life. If I could stay here forever, I absolutely would. I sat here today, went through a billion emotions, and thought, ‘Can I do a Wolf of Wall Street and say I’m not leaving?’

“I have to for now but genuinely, I want to be back and come back. I will always have a really special place for this station in my heart. I don’t see it as bye-bye forever, I see it as bye-bye for now.”

The radio host added: “I’m so glad I got through that without blubbing! I’ll be back very soon.”

Woods was joined in the studio by Ally McCoist and former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who described the presenter as a “national treasure”. McCoist and Woods have become a familiar double act during their three years on air and the Rangers legend summed up his feelings.

“Woodsy, it’s been an absolute blast. Everybody loves you to bits. I love you, I’ve had an incredible three years with you,” he said. “Honest to god, never had a cross word, which is unbelievable sometimes with the way I behave!

“We’ve always got on really well. I cannot tell you how much I’ve enjoyed working with you, you’ve been a breath of fresh air. You’re a star, an absolute star, and you’re going on, hopefully, to do things you want to do, which is the most important thing.”

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