Kelly Cates will soon leave Sky Sports to take up a new role on Match of the Day – and she has plenty of experience of asking the tough questions. Cates is set to be one of three new presenters on the BBC ’s iconic highlights show next season after Gary Lineker stands down. She will be joined by Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan in the new-look show for the 2025/26 campaign.
The 49-year-old broadcaster and presenter has spent the best part of two decades in television and radio to earn her move to Match of the Day. Her previous roles have brought her into contact with plenty of high-profile stars – and it hasn’t always gone to plan.
Back in March 2008, Cates was covering Manchester United ’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa, in which Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with an instinctive flicked finish from the second phase of a corner. The goal left an impression on Cates – and not just because of the skill involved.
Asked by FourFourTwo about the best goals she’d ever seen live, the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish said: “One of the most memorable was years ago, I think it was against Aston Villa and it was pouring with rain. “Cristiano Ronaldo sort of backheeled it, he did something strange. In the commentary they said, ‘I’m not sure how deliberate it was’ or something like that.
“The reason it sticks in my mind is because I did the post-match interview and asked, ‘Did you mean it?’ He went, ‘Sorry?’ I didn’t think he’d heard, but he had and he was like, ‘Are you f***ing kidding me? Yeah I meant it!’ It’s more the shame of it all that stays with me!”.
