Soccer AM fans have slammed the revamped presenting line-up of the popular football show.
Co-host Helen Chamberlain – who had presented the show for 22 years – has been replaced by comedian Lloyd Griffith, and former Hull and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard.
The pair join John Fendley in a three-strong presenting team.
Farewell & thank you to Mrs Soccer AM @HellsBellsy This place won't be the same without you x
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) August 7, 2017
Viewers of Saturday morning’s series opener labelled the revamp “a disaster” and “outdated”.
Earlier this week, Sky Sports had announced plans for a programme revamp, and the Soccer AM team shared news of Chamberlain’s departure by tweeting “Farewell and thank you” to their long-serving host
Fans aired their frustrations with the new line-up on Twitter, with Dave Mutch posting: “sorry soccer am, but replacing Helen C with the know it all Jimmy Bullard, what were you thinking. Disaster in the making.”
@SoccerAM sorry soccer am, but replacing Helen C with the know it all Jimmy Bullard, what were you thinking. Disaster in the making
— Dave Mutch (@70mutley) August 12, 2017
Jimmy Bullard is literally like the Wassup ad..Funny for about 10 mins in the noughties but now has no business in modern society #SoccerAM
— John OB (@objohnob) August 12, 2017
#SoccerAM weird without the superb @HellsBellsy – new presenters acting as guests rather than presenters. Doesn't really work.
— TV Bits (@TV_Bits) August 12, 2017
Another viewer accused the programme of making “Saturday Mornings less enjoyable than Monday Mornings”.
Soccer AM: Lloyd Griffith & Jimmy B have now made Saturday Mornings less enjoyable than Monday Mornings 💩 #SoccerAM bring back #Lovejoy
— Tony Cousins (@MKBitter) August 12, 2017
Others said they would be switching off the programme because of Chamberlain’s departure.
Thanks Helen for always making the men look good! Soccer AM, jobs for the boys now! No female presenters? Beyond annoyed! I'm switching off😡 pic.twitter.com/GZq7P7zyGB
— Kathryn Bickerstaffe (@kash645) August 12, 2017
Kathryn Bickerstaffe wrote: “Thanks Helen for always making the men look good! Soccer AM, jobs for the boys now! No female presenters? Beyond annoyed! I’m switching off.”
No Hells Bells. Be like the UK with no Royal Family. Goodbye Soccer am, thanks for all the laughs OMG what a bad start to the season
— Tim Bickerton (@TimBickerton1) August 12, 2017
Tim Bickerton posted: “No Hells Bells. Be like the UK with no Royal Family. Goodbye Soccer am, thanks for all the laughs OMG what a bad start to the season.”
And Daniel Fawcett added: “So glad to see the #SoccerAM revamp being panned on Twitter. The ‘lad banter’ feels so outdated. I miss the days of Helen and Lovejoy.”