EXCLUSIVE: Peter Drury will replace Martin Tyler at Sky Sports
Peter Drury will become Sky Sports voice of the Premier League after Martin Tyler’s departure from the broadcaster after more than 30 years of service
- Martin Tyler’s exit from Sky Sports after 33 years was announced on Saturday
- Peter Drury has agreed to replace Tyler for the new Premier League season
- The 55-year-old has been the lead commentator for NBC in the United States
Peter Drury is to replace Martin Tyler at Sky Sports, Mail Sport can reveal.
In what may well prove to be a popular move, the 55-year-old – currently the voice of the Premier League on US broadcaster NBC Sports – will become Sky’s main commentator after Tyler, 77, did not have his contract renewed.
Drury, who began his broadcast career on local radio in Leeds in 1990, will continue to present for the US audience, it is understood. NBC is owned by Comcast, which also owns Sky.
Popular with viewers, he is held in high regard by many and is viewed as a natural successor to Tyler, who departed after 33 years with Sky.
An announcement is expected from Sky Sports in the near future. It is expected that Drury will focus on one game a week for the broadcaster, which would be on Sunday, Monday or midweek.
Peter Drury, right, has agreed to become Sky Sports lead commentator for the Premier League
Legendary television commentator Martin Tyler has stepped down from his role at Sky Sports
Tyler, who covered numerous major tournaments and whose commentary on Sergio Aguero’s dramatic, title-winning goal for Manchester City in 2012 is one of the Premier League’s key moments, is not retiring.
Gary Hughes, Sky Sports’ director of football said: ‘Everyone at Sky Sports would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Martin for his unparalleled contribution and dedication to our coverage over the last 30 years. “The Voice” will always be synonymous with the Premier League and Sky Sports.
‘When you think of commentary, you think of Martin Tyler. “Collymore closing in” (from Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Newcastle in 1996) and “Aguerrrrrroooooooooo” are two of the greatest moments in Premier League history.
‘We thank him and wish him all the very best for the future.’
Tyler was lead commentator on Sky Sports’ flagship weekend show, Super Sunday, and featured prominently as well on other programmes – covering global events such as the Champions League, World Cup and European Championships for broadcasters in the US and Australia.
Jamie Carragher, who regularly shared the commentary box with Tyler, and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters were among those to pay tribute to the iconic commentator following confirmation of his departure.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Friday that Sky Sports had axed half of their football reporting team in a brutal cost-cutting exercise, with veteran interviewer Geoff Shreeves being asked to take a significant pay-cut.
The rest of Sky’s decisions have been made after a consultation over redundancies in April, with six of their 13-strong team of football reporters being cut, although some chose to go voluntarily and others may be offered alternative roles.
Tyler’s departure from Sky Sports was confirmed after 33 years working for the broadcaster
Due to Sky Sports’ cost cutting, experienced and well-respected journalists such as Guy Havord, Dickie Davis, Bianca Westwood, Greg Whelan, Lynsey Hooper and Jaydee Dyer will also not be continuing in their current roles.
Emma Saunders appears to be the only female reporter to survive the cull, along with David Craig, Patrick Davidson, Jonathan Oakes, Johnny Phillips and Luke Shanley.
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