Disgraced former Sky Sports activities presenter Richard Keys has insisted he’s ‘not retiring’ after breaking his silence on leaving his position at beIN Sports activities this summer time.
Keys has personally addressed his departure on the finish of his newest weblog publish, declaring there’s ‘a complete lot extra to return’.
Experiences emerged final week that Keys had been informed by the community that his contract is not going to be renewed when it expires on the finish of the season.
It was additionally reported that Andy Grey Keys’ long-term broadcasting companion and shut buddy, may also depart beIN Sports activities this summer time.
The broadcasting duo are each mentioned to be transferring again to the UK, with a report by the Telegraph claiming final week that they had been contemplating retirement.
A spokesman for Keys final week informed the Each day Mail that each Keys and Grey had determined to go away beIN, with it ‘mutually agreed that his closing broadcasts for the channel could be in Could this yr.’
Richard Keys has insisted ‘I am not retiring’ after breaking his silence on his departure from beIN Sports activities this summer time
Andy Grey, Keys’ long-term broadcasting companion and shut buddy, may also depart beIN Sports activities
Experiences claimed Keys will return to the UK to maneuver in along with his 37-year-old spouse, Lucie Rose, with whom he has been in a long-distance relationship since they secretly wed in a £20,000 ceremony in 2023
In his weblog publish, Keys wrote: ‘There was no fall out between myself and beINSPORTS.’
‘I’ve liked each minute of my time in Qatar – a rustic which means the world to me.
‘I’ve a deep affection for it, however it’s time for me to maneuver on.
‘I’m not retiring – merely altering course. There’s a complete lot extra to return but.’
Keys and Grey, 70, have resided in Doha since 2013, two years after their Sky Sports activities exit within the wake of a sexism scandal.
A sequence of sexist remarks made by Keys and Grey about feminine assistant referee Sian Massey had been picked up and leaked in January 2011 after they thought their microphones had been off.
Grey was sacked by Sky Sports activities after a video exhibiting him making inappropriate feedback to presenter Charlotte Jackson was launched. Keys resigned from his £500,000-a-year position shortly afterwards.
The shamed ex-Sky Sports activities host later threatened authorized motion in opposition to Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan after her 2022 memoir The First Half accused the duo of constructing sexist remarks about her being pregnant on board a flight to the 2005 Champions League closing.
After he and Grey had been labelled ‘dinosaurs ready to develop into extinct’ by Logan, Keys responded: ‘I did extra for her, within the early a part of her profession, than anyone.
‘Andy and I had been simple targets. It is simple to have a go at us. I do not intend to see her in courtroom, however I feel there are issues that may be settled away from that.’
Lucie Rose, above, was beforehand considered one of Keys’ daughter’s finest pals earlier than their romance
Keys (centre) pictured along with his ex-wife Julia (left) and their daughter Jemma (proper)
Grey added: ‘I used to be actually disenchanted. My life’s about as we speak and tomorrow, not 10 years in the past. Or in that alleged case, 17 years in the past. I wish to transfer on with my life.’
Since becoming a member of beIN Sports activities, Keys and Grey have fronted protection of the Premier League and Champions League throughout 24 nations within the Center East and North Africa, whereas additionally presenting for the community on the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
In accordance with The Telegraph, Keys, 68, is about to maneuver in completely along with his 37-year-old spouse, Lucie Rose, with whom he has been in a long-distance relationship since they secretly married in a non-public £20,000 ceremony in Devon in June 2023.
His son Joshua and daughter Jemma, who was beforehand considered one of Lucie Rose’s closest pals earlier than her romantic involvement with Keys, didn’t attend the marriage.
The presenter break up with Julia Keys after 36 years of marriage when information of his shock relationship emerged in 2016, along with his ex-wife revealing how the affair ‘devastated’ her as she recovered from thyroid most cancers and likewise wrecked the lives of their two kids.
Julia mentioned the affair ruined the profession of her Hollyoaks actress daughter as she spiralled into alcoholism and despair. Jemma additionally confronted authorized motion over a string of abusive texts she despatched to Lucie Rose earlier than costs had been dropped by prosecutors.
