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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Sky Sports presenter Eilidh Barbour reveals major career change as Scots host takes ‘big step out of my comfort zone'
The popular Sky Sports host is heading out of her comfort zone this summer SKY'S THE LIMIT Sky Sports presenter Eilidh Barbour reveals major career change as Scots host takes 'big step out of my comfort zone' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EILIDH BARBOUR has been the face of Scottish football on Sky Sports for the past six years. Now, she's revealed an exciting new role as a big summer of footie action takes shape. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Eilidh Barbour has been hosting Scottish football on Sky since 2019 Credit: Willie Vass 3 She's performed a number of different roles for various broadcasters Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 3 Barbour has landed a major new role for the summer Credit: X/BBC SPORT Barbour, 42, has become one of the most prominent sports presenters on UK television in recent years. The St Johnstone fan has worked for the BBC for a number of years, featuring on iconic programmes such as Final Score and Football Focus. She's also filled-in on hosting duties on Match of the Day 2. In 2017, Barbour also became the Beeb's lead golf presenter and has covered several of the game's biggest championships since. She is, however, probably most well known as the host of Sky Sports' Scottish football coverage, a role she's been in for the past six years. But with the new Scottish Premiership season still more than six weeks away, Barbour has revealed an exciting new role she'll be undertaking over the summer. And it's rather different to her usual duties in the presenting chair! She's revealed she'll be swapping the studio for the commentary box at this summer's Women's European Championships. Barbour will be one of the lead commentators on BBC Radio Five Live's coverage of the big finals in Switzerland. While it's a major departure from her usual roles, it's something the Scot's been well prepared for! Sky Sports presenter chokes up on final appearance as he leaves after nearly 30 YEARS with much-loved show axed She's been doing radio commentaries for the past year, and has covered huge games including Arsenal's Women's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid last month. Now, she's ready for the Euros. Taking to Instagram, Barbour revealed she'd landed a major career achievement by securing the commentary gig this summer. She said: "Very excited to be part of 5 Live Sport at Women's Euro 2025 in Switzerland next month. "This championship was a target I set myself when I started learning the art of radio commentary just over a year ago. "At the time I didn't know if I would ever commentate live on air, never mind anything else! It's been hard work and a big step out of my comfort zone but I've loved every minute and I'm so happy to have achieved what I had hoped to do. "A huge thanks goes to so many who have helped me along the way with guidance, wisdom, honest feedback, opportunities to improve and being a support from the co-comm chair! "Now the real work begins, on to Switzerland!" The Women's Euros take place between July 2 and July 27. Scotland failed to qualify for the finals with defending champions England and Wales the two home nations to have reached the finals. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Alex Scott's acid attack threat, Jess Glynne relationship, 'quit UK for US' plan
Alex Scott will be fronting Soccer Aid this Sunday alongside Dermot O'Leary, but from her love-life to a potential career in the USA, how much do you really know about the footballer-turned-BBC star? Alex Scott is one of the UK's most recognisable presenters. The former Arsenal Women's footballer has made a seamless shift from playing on the pitch to being in the media glare. Scott will be the face of Soccer Aid this Sunday alongside Dermot O'Leary, and her hosting portfolio is something to envy. She has fronted shows including Final Score, Match of the Day, Football Focus and The One Show. The 40-year-old made her name after playing for the Gunners, Birmingham City and NWSL side Boston Breakers, while she also represented England on 140 occasions. However, her transition from defender to TV star has not been without some issues. Here we take a closer look at Scott's love-life, her troubles with the BBC and a terrifying ordeal that involved a kidnapping in Russia. Jess Glynne relationship and love-life Scott and ' Rather Be ' singer Glynne have been an item since the summer of 2023. While they kept a low-profile initially, Scott eventually took to social media to share photos of the two, confirming them as a couple. She has also spoken about wanting children with the songstress. However, love didn't come easy for Scott. She has claimed that Glynne, 35, has helped her overcome her fear of forging a connection – something she insists developed in her childhood due to her relationship with her father, Tony, who has denied the claims about his parenting. "We weren't allowed to express emotion," Scott told The Times in June 2024. "Dad didn't allow us to hug each other or say, 'I love you.' It had a huge impact on us all." She continued: "I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like… {rigid]. She was like, 'Are you not going to put your arms around me?' But I didn't know how to do that." Scott was previously in a relationship with former England and Arsenal team-mate Kelly Smith. The two were together for eight years prior to their split in 2013 and in her memoir, How (Not) To Be Strong, Scott claimed she was "madly and deeply in love' with the star. Acid attack warning and death threats Scott has candidly spoken about the rough side of being a famous figure. She once opened up on how she has been threatened with an acid attack, and that she was scared to even step outside after she was wrongly named as Sue Barker's replacement on A Question of Sport. "There are negatives to fame. I've had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats," she said to The Times. "People were saying, 'She's only on TV because she's black, female and younger. She's just ticking boxes.' I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face." However, a deeply unsettling ordeal came as Scott was working for the BBC at the World Cup in Moscow in 2018. Kidnapped by a rogue Uber driver, Scott regaled a tale in her memoir of how a routine 15-minute drive to her hotel unfolded into a nightmare. After the driver menacingly told her, 'Girls like you, I kill", quick-thinking saw her claim to the driver that she was a friend of Vladimir Putin, after meeting the Russian president earlier in her trip. She told the driver: "If I don't see Putin tomorrow, he will find you," – and it's a sentence that looks to have saved her, as the driver then dropped her off at her destination. Missing out on Match of the Day and USA plans A painful chapter in Scott's life in the media appeared last year prior to being overlooked for the Match of the Day job. Gary Lineker has stepped down from the iconic show after 25 years in the hot seat, and it was a position that Scott was at one stage reportedly the frontrunner for, with BBC bosses wanting to move in a different direction. However, the gig ultimately went for the experienced trio in Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, who will all share presenting duties. Rumours also surfaced she had intentions to move across the pond with Glynne to explore other opportunities in her field, following a troubled episode with the BBC that emerged last October. The Sun reported Scott had been left 'hurt' after Football Focus – the show fronted by her – suffered from failing ratings and she wasn't backed by bosses at the Beeb. She had previously defended herself against talk of dwindling viewers In September 2023 on X, after she claimed figures were in pristine health. But fast forward a year, and a source in October 2024 said: "Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. "The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures." On her and Gylnne's move across the pond, the source added that the pair are "contemplating a move to America." As things stand, though, Scott remains in the UK, and will be a focal part of Soccer Aid on Sunday evening on ITV1.
Wales Online
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Soccer Aid host Alex Scott's plan to ‘quit UK' with famous girlfriend after awful threats
Soccer Aid host Alex Scott's plan to 'quit UK' with famous girlfriend after awful threats Alex Scott will host Soccer Aid alongside Dermot O'Leary, but from her love-life to a possible move to the USA, how much do you really know about the ex-Arsenal player-turned-BBC star? Alex Scott and Jess Glynne (Image: PA ) Former Arsenal Women's footballer-turned-TV presenter Alex Scott is a familiar face to many in the UK. From the football pitch to the media glare, her transition has been smooth. On Sunday evening, Scott will co-host Soccer Aid with Dermot O'Leary on ITV1, adding to her impressive roster of presenting gigs which includes Final Score, Match of the Day, Football Focus and The One Show. The 40-year-old made her mark playing for the Gunners, Birmingham City and Boston Breakers in the NWSL – as well as earning 140 caps for England. However, her journey from footballer to television personality hasn't been without its challenges. We delve into Scott's personal life, her struggles at the BBC, a possible move to the US, and a harrowing incident involving a kidnapping in Russia. Missing out on Match of the Day and USA plans A disappointing moment in Scott's burgeoning media career came last year when she was passed over for the Match of the Day role. Gary Lineker stepped down from the iconic show after a 25-year tenure, and Scott was reportedly a leading contender to replace him, with BBC bosses keen to take a new direction. However, the job ultimately went to the seasoned trio of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, who will now share presenting duties. Article continues below There were also rumours that Scott planned to move to the USA with her partner, Jess Glynne, to explore further opportunities in her field, following a difficult period with the BBC that came to light last October. Scott shared her pride at Football Focus viewing figures in 2023 (Image: Molly Darlington - The FA/The FA via Getty Images ) The Sun reported that Scott was 'hurt' following a drop in ratings for Football Focus, which she presents, coupled with a perceived lack of support from BBC executives. She had previously addressed rumours regarding the decline in viewership on X in September 2023, insisting that the numbers were strong. But fast forward a year, and a source in October 2024 said: "Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. "The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures." As for her plans with Gylnne, the source revealed they were "contemplating a move to America." Yet as it stands, Scott is staying put in Britain for now, ready to take centre stage on ITV1's Soccer Aid event come Sunday evening. Jess Glynne relationship and love-life Since the summer of 2023, Scott and 'Rather Be' singer Glynne have been romantically an item. Initially keeping their relationship under wraps, Scott eventually confirmed their status as a couple through social media posts, reports the Mirror. She has also expressed her desire to start a family with Glynne. However, finding love wasn't straightforward for the star. Alex has been dating singer Jess Glynne since 2023 (Image: Ian West/PA Wire ) She credits Glynne, 35, with helping her overcome her fear of forming close relationships – a fear she attributes to her childhood experiences with her father, Tony, who has refuted these claims about his parenting. "We weren't allowed to express emotion," Scott said to The Times in June 2024. "Dad didn't allow us to hug each other or say, 'I love you.' It had a huge impact on us all. "I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like... {rigid]. She was like, 'Are you not going to put your arms around me?' But I didn't know how to do that." Scott has previously been open about her past romance with fellow England and Arsenal footballer Kelly Smith, with whom she shared an eight-year relationship before parting ways in 2013. In her autobiography, How (Not) To Be Strong, Scott revealed she was "madly and deeply in love" with Smith. Acid attack warning and death threats Scott has been forthright about the darker side of celebrity life. She recounted her experience with serious threats, including one involving an acid attack. "There are negatives to fame. I've had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats," she told The Times. "People were saying, 'She's only on TV because she's black, female and younger. She's just ticking boxes.' I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face." Alex Scott and Kelly Smith (R) ended their relationship in 2013 (Image: David Price ) However, a harrowing incident occurred while Scott was covering the World Cup in Moscow for the BBC in 2018. In her memoir, she recounts being kidnapped by an Uber driver, turning what should have been a routine 15-minute journey into a terrifying ordeal. Article continues below After the driver chillingly threatened, "Girls like you, I kill", Scott's quick thinking led her to claim a friendship with Vladimir Putin, having met the Russian president earlier on her trip. She warned the driver: "If I don't see Putin tomorrow, he will find you," – a statement that seemingly saved her, as the driver subsequently dropped her off at her destination.
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC host Alex Scott receives shock letter as she plans kids with huge popstar girlfriend
BBC host Alex Scott receives shock letter as she plans kids with huge popstar girlfriend The BBC presenter has given a new insight into her relationship with her famous partner, saying she is 'happy and in love' Alex Scott and Jess Glynne BBC presenter Alex Scott has opened up on her relationship with popstar Jess Glynne, admitting she is "happy and in love" and wants to have children. The 40-year-old former Arsenal star made her relationship with the singer official last year, following months of speculation that they were an item. After being spotted attending parties and award ceremonies together, both women looked to keep things under wraps, with Glynne refusing to confirm their relationship, but they were later seen sharing a kiss together while out in London. Scott played for the Gunners nearly 150 times in her career, as well as representing Birmingham City and the Boston Breakers, winning a huge 140 caps for England and representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Since hanging up her boots, she has forged a successful career in broadcasting, fronting shows including Final Score, Match of the Day and the One Show as well as appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019. Glynne, meanwhile, is the first and only British female artist to achieve seven UK Number 1 singles, with her hit songs including 'Rather Be', 'Hold My Hand', 'I'll Be There' and 'Not Letting Go'. Scott recently took to social media to share several loved-up photos of her and Glynne which showed them posing together in a box at Wembley Stadium and escaping on a romantic weekend away near Bournemouth. Article continues below In an interview with The Big Issue, the former footballer gave a further insight into her relationship as she admitted she had "done the work on [her]self to allow someone in" and "accept love". She explained: 'I always felt I was troubled and complex and wouldn't let anyone in. I was fearful of hurting them. 'Everyone sees me now and comments on how happy I am – in love and life, and it's because I've done the work on myself to allow someone in. I'd tell my younger self to be more open and accepting to love. Revealing her hopes for children, Scottt added: 'There's still so much more to fight for to help that next generation – and I feel like I am in a position to use my platform so that, in the future where hopefully I have kids, they won't have to fight like I've had to in my life. Then they can just go out and live life full of joy.' 'It's helped me develop into the person I am now, which is happy within myself, and allowed me to be free. I'm in a very good place now. I'm in love and I'm happy.' It hasn't always been easy for Scott, who has alleged that her "stupidly cruel" dad Tony physically and mentally abused her family during her childhood and banned them from showing emotion. Tony has denied the allegations, but the ex-Arsenal star claims that her experiences had a "huge impact" and led her to struggle with showing her emotions, even towards Glynne. 'We weren't allowed to express emotion," she told The Times last year. 'Dad didn't allow us to hug each other or say 'I love you'. It had a huge impact on us all. To this day, if I want to show people love, I'll do it by taking them out to dinner and paying.' 'I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like… [rigid]," Scott added. 'She was like, 'Are you not going to put your arms around me?' But I didn't know how to do that. We laugh about it to this day.' Content cannot be displayed without consent However, Scott speaking out about her struggles growing up is already having a huge impact, as she received a surprise letter from a fan saying that the footballer had inspired a positive change in their family. In her autobiography, 'How (Not) to Be Strong', the Lionesses legend had penned a love letter to her mother and her words resonated with the fan and her family, and ended up changing their lives. Scott took to social media to share a photo of the letter, which read: "Hi Alex, thank you for the letter to your mom that you made public on (sic) your book. I read it to my mother while we both cried. "The letter was another brick for her to leave my dad. After 43 years of being in an abusive marriage, she found the power to leave him and at 78 years old, she has re-flourished." Scott's father has denied the allegations against him, responding by saying: "I have no idea why she's saying all this stuff. I was raised in a strict but loving Jamaican family and Alex should know what they are like. I taught her discipline, I did a lot to help her. Article continues below "Perhaps she is judging me by today's standards, I don't know. Parents were a lot tougher back then. But I was never violent, that's just not me. I never beat Alex or anyone else in the family or did anything like that."
Irish Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Premier League explain controversial Villa decision that saw them miss top four
The Premier League has clarified why Aston Villa was controversially denied a goal in their clash with Manchester United, a decision that ultimately cost them a shot at Champions League qualification. Morgan Rogers was adjudged to have fouled keeper Altay Bayindir during the buildup, leading referee Thomas Bramall to blow his whistle. Despite replays suggesting Bayindir hadn't fully secured the ball, with Rogers pouncing on a fumble, the ref's immediate whistle meant VAR couldn't step in to reverse the call. The Premier League Match Centre explained: "The referee's call was a free kick to Manchester United with Bayindir deemed to be in control of the ball before Rogers gained possession. The whistle was blown by the referee before the ball entered the goal, therefore the incident was not reviewable by the VAR." Ellen White expressed her astonishment on Final Score, remarking: "If the ref has blown his whistle then VAR can't get involved. Why not let the play carry on like the linesmen do for offside?". Villa's team and coaching staff were left fuming over the decision, which could have significantly boosted their chances for a spot in the Champions League. Despite their frustration, they struggled to recover from the setback, reports the Mirror. United promptly capitalised on Villa's troubles, surging to the lead in mere moments. Amad soared to head home a Bruno Fernandes cross while Villa tumbled into sixth, their Champions League dreams dimming. Christian Eriksen coolly slotted from the spot, bolstering United's advantage after Ian Maatsen clumsily bundled over Amad in the box, which led to Unai Emery sarcastically applauding as the official signalled for Eriksen to take his shot. Earlier, Emery's side were reduced to 10 men, dealing their Champions League aspirations another hit. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez, aged 32, bolted from his line following a dodgy pass by Matty Cash, crashing into United's Rasmus Hojlund well outside the penalty area. Martinez was briskly issued his marching orders, earning a red card. The Premier League's own Match Centre account on X soon affirmed: "The referee's call of red card to Martinez for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR." Aston Villa's hopes were quashed as they finished sixth after Chelsea clinched a win against Nottingham Forest, confirming their spot in Europe's elite contest. Villa's failure simultaneously granted Newcastle the fifth qualifying place based on their superior goal difference, despite the Magpies suffering a setback at home to Everton when the season wrapped up.
