Former BBC presenter reveals heartache of SPOTY axe in ‘most painful phone call ever’ before confirming shock return

PRESENTER Jake Humphrey has revealed his heartache at being axed from BBC Sports Personality of the Year in a “painful phone call”.

Taking to Instagram, Humphrey wrote that he was told over the phone that he would no longer be presenting SPOTY following his move to BT in 2012.

Humphrey, 46, said that while he understood the BBC‘s decision, it “stung deeply” as hosting the show had been the pinnacle of his professional career.

In the post, he reminisced about preparing for the show alongside fellow sports TV stars Sue Barker and Gary Lineker.

Humphrey said he made “cherished memories” preparing for and presenting the annual awards show.

This year, the BBC asked Whisper TV, the production company he co-founded, to produce this year’s show.

He insisted this experience reminded him that “unexpected opportunities can arise” and that “funny things can happen”.

The lengthy post was accompanied with pictures of his time at SPOTY in 2011.

This included a snap of one of his queue cards and a picture of his changing room next to Lineker’s own.

He wrote: “Let me tell you about one of the most painful phone calls I’ve ever had.

“It was late 2012 and the call was to tell me that I wasn’t going to present Sports Personality Of The Year.

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“I’d hosted the previous 4 editions of the show, but my imminent departure to BT Sport meant I was being removed as presenter.

“I understood the BBC’s decision, but it stung. It stung because hosting that show was the greatest honour of my professional career.

“I’ve added a few photos – apologies for the quality but camera phones weren’t great over a decade ago!

“I’ll never forget the pride of hanging my clothes up in the dressing room, collecting my pass, rehearsing the show with Sue Barker, or having a dressing room next to Gary Lineker.

“For me, SPOTY was the peak. Every year it was on as a kid, it was The one show at BBC Sport that stood above all others and being asked to host it was a true honour.

“I was walking in the footsteps of previous hosts Jimmy Hill, Des Lynham and David Coleman.

“I was just the 15th presenter in 54 years and as I walked out to host my first in 2008 it was at a packed Echo Arena in Liverpool.

“Sporting royalty, a-list celebrities and even my parents were staring back at me. The nerves were VERY real.

“When I got that phone call almost exactly 12 years ago, I thought my relationship with the show was over forever.

“Then, this year the phone rang again. It was the BBC asking the production company I co-founded, Whisper TV, if we’d produce the 2024 edition.

“I was blown away. A business started by the brilliant Sunil Patel, David Coulthard and I, in our back bedrooms, was going to get the chance to produce the big one. A massive responsibility.

“Tonight at 7pm I’ll be excitedly watching as the best production company in the business, one of the fastest growing companies in Europe, produces Sports Personality Of The Year for you at home.

“And for all of us it’s a reminder that we sometimes think a door is shut on us for good, but you never truly know what others will open in the future.

“Live a life of ambitious exploration and funny things can happen. Enjoy the show.”

This year’s edition of SPOTY will see the likes of darts sensation Luke Littler, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and Olympian Keely Hodgkinson go after the award.

Paralympian Sarah Storey, triathlete Alex Yee and cricketer Joe Root are also among the nominated stars.

If Littler wins the award, then he will become the second-youngest winner.

The youngest recipient was 17-year-old Scottish swimmer Ian Black, who was victorious in 1958 ahead of footballers Bobby Charlton and Nat Lofthouse.