Jeff Stelling sends emotional mental health message on penultimate Soccer Saturday appearance

Sky Sports Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling had a parting message in an emotional rant ahead of his impending departure.

The Hartlepool fan has been at the centre of the television show for 25 years and has been at the broadcaster for three decades. He confirmed in recent weeks that he will be stepping down from his role which covers the scores across the action in the UK from the Premier League to League Two plus Scottish football action.

His penultimate show fell on Saturday (May 20) as Liverpool and Everton featured as part of their 3pm coverage. Due to the blackout, the entertainment isn’t broadcast to Sky or BT Sports subscribers as fans are forced to settle for their respective score shows.

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In a parting message, Stelling continued to use his voice for change as he has done throughout his career with Sky – in recent years he has been an advocate of Prostate Cancer UK doing a number of walks for the charity. In an emotional piece to camera, the 68-year-old said: “This is a difficult topic, it’s my second last show so I’m going to have my final sort of rant if you like. I’ve got to be careful to get it right.

“There was a march this morning, this relates to [anorexia sufferer] Abby Davies actually. There was a march this morning in central London by the people who run the ‘Dump The Scales’ campaign. It’s led by the indefatigable Hope Virgo every year.

“More people die from eating disorders every year than any other mental illness. The Government’s lack of awareness and funding is a national disgrace. They decided to put calories for goodness sake on people’s menus.

“Up to 20 per cent of all eating disorder cases end in death and the cycle goes like that. Abby said: ‘Boy, girl, woman, man, goes for help, they are told they are not thin enough, they are not underweight enough to need treatment’.

“They go away, they lose more weight, they go further and deeper into the mental morass that they’re in. They have suicidal tendencies. They are then told ‘You are now too thin to be treated’ and are offered palliative care for god’s sake,” he continued.

“So we’re not going to help you but we will try and ensure you die comfortably. It’s 2023.

“Eating disorders are being swept under the carpet. No one should be dying of an eating disorder in 2023. Those with eating disorders need action and help and they need it now.”

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