Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has cautioned the BBC against chasing younger audiences after the broadcaster was asked about replacing Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.
The warning comes after last week’s announcement that Lineker, 63, will step down from his role as host of the flagship football programme at the end of the current season.
BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, is reportedly seeking to win over young viewers with a new presenter, a strategy Stelling firmly disagrees with.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Stelling dismissed the pursuit of younger demographics through social media influencers and younger presenters as “forlorn”.
“Call me old fashioned, but I’ve always felt the way to attract an audience of any demographic is to make sure you put out a high-quality product,” he said.
“If the programme is watched by mums and dads in their forties, make sure it is good enough so that when the new generation reach their forties it is something they want to watch.”
Jeff Stelling does not agree with BBC’s decision to go younger
PA
When asked about potentially presenting Match of the Day himself, Stelling was unequivocal in his response.
“No, no, we old white blokes have had our day in the sun,” he told The Telegraph.
“Hard as it is – and believe me I’ve found it hard – we’ve just got to accept we had a great run, and say good luck to the next lot coming in.
“If they enjoy it as much as I have done, then they will have a wonderful time.”
Despite his reservations about chasing younger audiences, Stelling was emphatic in his choice for Lineker’s replacement.
“Chappers is the man for the job,” he declared. “Great presenter, nice sense of humour, good rapport with the guests, he’s got to be the man, surely.”
Chapman, 51, currently hosts Match of the Day 2 and also works as a Radio 5 Live host.
Reports suggest Chapman has concerns about taking the position full-time, as he currently also presents Carabao Cup coverage for Sky Sports.
Gary Lineker will step down from his role on MOTD at the end of the season
Reuters
Several other high-profile presenters are reportedly in contention for the coveted role.
Names such as Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates, and Reshmin Chowdhury have all been linked with the position.
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Mark Chapman has been tipped by Jeff Stelling to take over from Gary Lineker
PA
The BBC may opt for a revolving cast of presenters rather than a single host, according to reports.
Lineker himself has remained tight-lipped about his preferred successor, stating: “Obviously I don’t know who it’ll be and I would never tell publicly my preference.”