Simon Thomas, the brand new host of Sky Sports’ iconic outcomes service Soccer Saturday, discovered a brand new fan base in Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds when he first took over the helm of the present.
The Deadpool actor filmed a personalised message for Mr Thomas wishing him luck in his new position, however supplied to combat it out later after studying the pundit is a Norwich fan.
The ex-Blue Peter host replaces Jeff Stelling within the scorching seat after 25 years and humbly admitted that he’ll be “happy if he only does half the job” that the legendary host did throughout his time on the present.
It got here on the identical day that Reynolds membership Wrexham performed their first League Two sport after being promoted to the highest 4 in soccer for the primary time in 15 years.
Reynolds invited his ‘frenemy’ Hugh Jackson to look at the sport with co-owner Rob McElhenney, and he despatched the particular message to Mr. Thomas from the membership’s stands.
It’s the beginning of a brand new period for Soccer Saturday with Simon Thomas as host! ✨
🗣️ “It’s an absolute honor to host this brilliant show! If I can do half the job legend Jeff Stelling has done for the past 25 years, I’ve done something right!” pic.twitter.com/8Tvx7Olv0M
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) August 5, 2023
Ryan Reynolds informed Thomas that Hugh Jackman can be a Norwich fan, and joked that they might work it out later
Thomas first headed this system after Jeff Stelling’s 25-year tenure ended
Simon Thomas made his debut as the brand new essential presenter of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday this afternoon
It comes after Jeff Stelling stepped down from the position after internet hosting the enduring outcomes present for 25 years
Reynolds stated, “Good luck on your first day Simon. I hear you’re a Norwich fan.
‘Brought Hugh Jackman today, who also loves Norwich, so you’ve got company. We’ll be happy to fight it out later.’
Thomas looked excited as the camera panned back to the studio and said, “My job is done. Couldn’t be better, huh?’
He added that Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob McElhenney had messaged him but ‘we couldn’t broadcast it’ because it was ‘a bit naughty’.
A smiling Hugh Jackman reunited with co-star and ‘frenemy’ Ryan Reynolds as they watched Wrexham’s first game in the English Football League on Saturday.
The Wolverine actor, 54, joined fellow movie star Reynolds, 46, as his football team fell to a 3-5 home defeat to MK Dons at The Racecourse Ground in Wales after being promoted to League Two in April.
The actors, who star in the upcoming Deadpool 3, are currently on strike over the SAG/AFTRA labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Reynolds and Jackman are known to be involved in a fake feud believed to have its roots in their co-starring in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Thomas first introduced the program to his new role, referring to the “big boots” he needed to fill this season.
He informed viewers: “It’s a new season, we have new managers, new players and there’s a bit of a new feeling, as you may have seen on Soccer Saturday.
“We have a new studio, a new look, but hopefully everything you still love about this great show.
Now before we go any further I want to say this, in the last few weeks one or two people have been saying “you’ve got some pretty big boots to fill”.
Reynolds and Jackman take a selfie with younger soccer followers throughout the Wrexham sport
Footie time! Hugh Jackman, 54, joined Ryan Reynolds, 46, in Wrexham’s first match within the EFL on Saturday
STOPPED: The actors starring within the upcoming Deadpool 3 film be a part of the SAG/AFTRA strike
“I didn’t carry the boots at the moment. I introduced my very own footwear, a pleasant comfy pair of leather-based brown footwear dimension 10.
“But I need to say this, it’s an absolute honor to tackle the position of host of this fairly sensible present and if I can do even half the job that legend Jeff Stelling has completed over the previous 25 years, then I did one thing. proper.’
The digital camera then panned out to disclose the brand new trendy studio as Thomas launched his opening present panel; Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Neil Lennon, Sue Smith and Michael Dawson.
Thomas’ appointment will undoubtedly attraction to colleagues and followers. The 50-year-old was previously one among Sky’s essential Premier League presenters earlier than stepping down from the position six years in the past following the tragic dying of his spouse.
He confronted stiff competitors from fellow Sky presenters Caroline Barker and Jules Warren to safe the position and appears to be settling in nicely as the brand new host.