Daily Mail: Jeff Stelling reveals heart-warming Elton John phone call

Story from Daily Mail:

Jeff Stelling bowed out of Soccer Saturday by thanking his colleagues at Sky and revealing he even got a call from Elton John wishing him well ahead of his last show.

The legendary broadcaster ended his 30-year association with the programme on the final day of the Premier League season, as the anchor of Sky's score update show.

Stelling helped make the Saturday afternoon show a television staple for English football supporters to watch as the goals rolled in, using humour, sporting intelligence, and comradery to great effect.

Upon seeing a montage Sky put together to pay tribute to the 68-year-old, he was given a standing ovation by co-hosts Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd and Michael Dawson in the studio, before launching into a farewell message to end the show.

'That was brilliant and thank you very much to whoever did that, absolutely fantastic and thanks for the applause, but this is tricky because...I've changed my mind...just kidding I haven't changed my mind this time.' Stelling quipped referencing his U-turn on the role last summer, before reeling off a list of thank you messages to people he has worked with on the show.

'I've had some fantastic messages during the last few weeks. People like Gordon Strachan was texting me this morning, Neil Warnock, Ritchie Humphreys - former Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool legend - Kammie [Chris Kamara] of course.'

Stelling further revealed that he had been in contact with some A-list celebrities and gave viewers inside knowledge that even Elton John is an ardent fan of the production.

The singer was previously chairman at Championship outfit Watford and called Stelling to congratulate him on his tremendous stint presenting the flagship sports show that is watched by millions.

He added: 'People from outside of football, Georgie Ainsley - we know her as Georgie Thompson - and Elton John rang me.

'Somebody asked me the other if I'd ever been starstruck and yeah I was starstruck when Elton John rang me at home to thank me very much for all I've done.

'He said every time I watch the show, every week you tell me Watford are losing and every week you tell me Hartlepool are losing, so I feel like we're kindred spirits.'

The 68-year-old rounded off his farewell speech as he said goodbye to some of the people he has worked with at Sky Sports, labelling his time at the organisation as 'fantastic'.

'The great thing is, what people don't realise is that it's a team game. And it's a team game right from the people in the call centres who take your calls right through to the runners, the production team, the people behind the camera and the people that are here, Thommo and Charlie, Matt Le Tissier and this gang of four.

'It's all been fantastic. Every one I've worked with over the past 30 years I'd like to say thank you for that.'