Long-serving BT Sport presenter LEAVES ahead of TNT rebrand following controversial final act with colleagues shocked
PRESENTER Des Kelly has left BT Sport.
It comes as the channel prepares to rebrand to become TNT Sports on July 18.
Kelly, 58, is the second high-profile personality to leave BT‘s football coverage in recent weeks following the departure of host Jake Humphrey.
Kelly, who was at BT for 10 years, was last seen presenting pitchside at the Champions League final when, according to The Mail, he caused controversy by asking for the autograph of Manchester City man Ilkay Gundogan live on air.
His exit is said to have “shocked” colleagues who considered him an “untouchable” part of the team.
He performed a similar role to Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves – who also left his post earlier this month after 30 years in the job.
Kelly assumed the position after a career as a newspaper journalist.
He began with an evening chat-show, before switching to his role as a touchline reporter.
Kelly famously challenged Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on numerous occasions when the German criticised the broadcasters for their part in fixture scheduling.
And he was supported by BT Sport last month after asking Gundogan for his autograph.
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Kelly explained away the incident by insisting he planned to auction it for charity.
The rebrand to TNT Sports is not expected to coincide with a drastic change in presenters and pundits despite the departures of Humphrey and Kelly.
Laura Woods is being tipped to take over from Humphrey for Champions League games.
But Lynsey Hipgrave is set to continue as the organisation’s main presenter.