Tributes have poured in following the final broadcast of veteran sports presenter Clare Tomlinson, who signed off after an extraordinary 27-year association with Sky Sports News. Her last shift took place on Christmas Day, bringing to a close a career that has been closely linked with the rise and success of round-the-clock sports broadcasting in the UK. As one of the original presenters when the channel launched in 1998, Tomlinson quickly became a familiar and trusted presence for viewers, earning widespread respect for her calm authority, professionalism, and longevity in a highly competitive industry.
Marking the occasion with a brief message shared from the studio alongside her partner Carl Rumney, Tomlinson described the moment as the right time to move on. The announcement prompted an outpouring of admiration from colleagues across different eras of the channel’s history. Former Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling praised her contribution and spoke warmly of their time working together, while commentator Rob Palmer described her as a benchmark of professionalism. Current presenter Mark McAdam also highlighted her status as one of the channel’s true pioneers, reflecting the high esteem in which she is held behind the scenes as well as on screen.
During her time at Sky, Tomlinson worked across a wide range of flagship programming, including Goals on Sunday, Super Sunday, and the overnight news show Through The Night. Her versatility allowed her to move seamlessly between studio presenting and pitch-side reporting, helping to shape the tone and credibility of the network during its formative years. Although she appeared less frequently in recent seasons while working on a freelance basis, her presence continued to resonate with long-time viewers. Importantly, her departure is understood to be a personal decision and is not connected to the recent restructuring and redundancies that have affected parts of the broadcaster’s newsroom.
Tomlinson’s career also reflects broader changes within sports media. In 2011, she was inadvertently drawn into a wider debate about workplace culture after inappropriate remarks by then-pundits Andy Gray and Richard Keys were captured off-air. The incident, which led to their exit from the network, became a defining moment for discussions around respect and professionalism in broadcasting. Through it all, Tomlinson remained dignified and focused on her work, further strengthening her reputation. As she steps away from the studio, her legacy stands as one of resilience, trailblazing achievement, and lasting influence on British sports television.
