‘I don’t want to be Gary’: Kelly Cates on Sky, Match of the Day and social media

Kelly Cates, a renowned football presenter and broadcaster, is set to embark on the busiest year of her career. Cates has a diverse background, having worked for various media outlets such as Setanta Sports and Channel 5, showcasing her deep knowledge and emotional warmth. This weekend, Cates will be the face of both the BBC's and Sky's coverage of the Premier League. She will host Sky's Friday Night Football coverage of Liverpool v Bournemouth, following two preview shows for the BBC and preceding her first shift on Match of the Day. Cates aims to maintain a conversational style in her presentations, avoiding the desire to emulate her predecessors. She acknowledges the challenges of replacing a legend like Gary Lineker, stating, "I don't want to be Gary." Cates is focused on developing her own unique approach to sports broadcasting, leveraging her expertise and personal touch to connect with the audience.