JAKE HUMPHREY has announced he is leaving BT Sport after a decade of anchoring the TV Channel’s football coverage.
The 44-year-old is leaving to pursue other projects – with Laura Woods tipped to replace him.
GettyHumphrey has become a familiar figure to football fans after hosting their major football coverage for years[/caption]
The presenter often speaks to some of Europe’s biggest stars in his role as presenterRex
ReutersHumprey appears alongside famous football pundits such as Rio Ferdinand, Joleon Lescott and Michael Owen[/caption]
GettyLaura Woods had been tipped for a move to BT even before today’s news[/caption]
Humphrey presents BT Sport’s Champions League coverage and has become familiar to football fans since the channel took European football from Sky.
He used to also front their Saturday lunchtime Premier League game before he was replaced by Lynsey Hipgrave.
The presenter will now focus on other projects like his popular ‘High Performance’ podcast.
Humphrey tweeted this afternoon: “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.
“I also feel blessed to have shared the screen with legends of the game and incredible broadcasters, who have become friends. Thank you all.
“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!”
Humphrey’s unique personality away from the camera has often got fans talking such as earlier this year when he revealed his “world class” morning routine.
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TalkSPORT, ITV and Amazon Prime presenter Laura Woods has been tipped to join BT.
The 35-year-old has proved to be a hit with fans across various platforms and would have plenty of experience for the role.
She presents talkSPORT’s Breakfast show alongside Ally McCoist and was one of ITV’s presenters during last year’s Qatar World Cup.
The anchor is also one of the many presenters used by Amazon Prime during their rounds of Premier League fixtures.
Along with Woods, Hipgrave could also step up to replace Humphrey on European nights.
Jermaine Jenas, who hosts The One Show and has fronted Europa League coverage before, could also step into the role.
GettyGary Lineker quit BT Sport two years after fronting their Champions League coverage[/caption]
Gary Lineker may also be linked for a return having previously presented BT’s Champions League coverage.
And popular presenter Mark Chapman could also be a candidate – if he’s not snapped up by Sky as Jeff Stelling’s replacement first.
BT Sport is already set for a summer of change as the channel prepares for a major rebrand on July 18.
The channel will become TNT Sports after the merger between BT and Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Eurosport.
The merger is intended to allow BT Sport to become efficient and offer a more premium product.