‘Risque’ Skelton dropped from BBC sports role
HER scanty outfits at the Rio Olympics made BBC swimming presenter Helen Skelton famous – possibly for all the wrong reasons.
Now the BBC has axed the 34-year- old for the Commonwealth Games in Australia next month without explanation.
The former Blue Peter presenter has been a mainstay of the Corporation’s swimming coverage over the past few years, regularly appearing with commentators Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster, both former Olympians.
Although her revealing outfits in Rio in 2016 left many viewers complaining she was too ‘risque’, her rapport with Miss Adlington and Mr Foster drew praise, and she covered swimming events at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last year.
But while her co-presenters are in the BBC’s line-up for Gold Coast 2018 from April 4 to 15, Miss Skelton has unexpectedly missed out. Sources close to the mother-of-two said yesterday she was ‘sad’ about the decision.
The BBC said she had not been ‘ struck off ’, and her absence was down to a ‘smaller production’ than the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker and BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker will also not be involved, despite playing key roles in Glasgow.
Clare Balding, Hazel Irvine, Gabby Logan, Jason Mohammad and Invictus Games host JJ Chalmers will lead the TV coverage. A source said Miss Skelton did not know why she had been dropped, adding: ‘They haven’t explained their reasons. There are a few people where you think it’s a bit weird they aren’t there. Helen would have loved to be there.’
A BBC Sport spokesman said: ‘We are sending a considerably smaller operation to Australia than to previous games. Helen remains a key presenter.’