After weeks of anticipation, Kelly Cates finally made her debut as a presenter on Match of the Day on Saturday night.
The Sky Sports regular didn’t shy away from acknowledging that she was the last of Gary Lineker’s three successors to take the hot seat, bringing a touch of humor to her long-awaited introduction.
A Rotating Line-Up Following Lineker’s Departure
Earlier this summer, the BBC confirmed a new team of rotating presenters to fill the void left by Lineker after his 26-year run on the show.
Alongside Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan were also named as part of the fresh line-up.
While Chapman kicked off the Premier League season hosting the opening show and Logan took charge of Match of the Day 2, Cates had to wait until the third highlights programme to make her studio debut.
She acknowledged the order with a grin, saying:
“Six games on tonight’s Match of the Day, featuring two of last season’s top three and all of the promoted sides.
A new face in the studio as well, hello, and I’ve already been told about the significance of the running order… presumably that’s why I’m third.”
Sharing the Desk with Football Legends
Cates was joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards to break down Saturday’s Premier League action.
Sitting comfortably in the chair once famously held by Lineker, she quickly demonstrated that she could handle the pressure while keeping her own style.
Leading up to her debut, Cates made it clear she wouldn’t try to imitate the former England striker.
“I don’t need another thing to think about. I don’t need to be sitting there thinking: ‘What would Gary do?'” she told reporters earlier this month.
Winning Over Fans with Poise and Confidence
Her first appearance impressed many viewers. Social media buzzed with praise for her effortless presentation.
One fan tweeted, “Kelly Cates. Match of the Day. Effortless. For those unaccustomed, enjoy.
Still wild to me that this is a new experience for some but my research says so.”
Another added, “Kelly Cates is a great choice for Match of the Day to be fair.”
Outfit Choices Spark Conversation
Not everyone was focused on her presenting skills. Some viewers commented on her outfit, suggesting her jacket and trousers looked oversized.
One quipped, “Is Kelly Cates wearing a hand-me-down suit from David Byrne?” while another noted, “I think the jacket and trousers combo she is wearing are probably two sizes too big for her.”
Despite the wardrobe chatter, Cates’ debut marked a successful and confident entry into one of football’s most iconic shows.
Fans are already looking forward to seeing how she continues to make the role her own.
