Where cast of Soccer AM are now ahead of final show – from star’s shock heart attack to ladette who now runs a farm
THE final whistle is set to blow on Soccer AM this weekend, as the final episode airs tomorrow.
It’s been on our screens for nearly 30 years, but in March SunSport exclusively revealed it was set for the chop.
Since it kicked off in 1995 a host of favourite presenters have come and gone through its glittering doors.
The show is currently hosted by John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard – but what happened to its other well-known stars?
Ahead of the final episode, here we take a look at where the past presenters of Soccer AM are now.
TUBES
Arguably the most revered member of Soccer AM, the popular figure is still working on the show full-time.
Originally an assistant producer, he became a regular thanks to his comical appearances.
He now interviews some of the biggest names in football for Sky Sports while also enjoying a round of golf.
Tubes suffered a major heart attack in 2018 after revealing he was an alcoholic.
And the star revealed in March he was almost seven years into his recovery, receiving support from John Terry.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
The ex-Chelsea and England captain said: “Tubes you are a legend and we are all proud of you mate.
“Continue smashing it with Golf Life and keep being the kind of great man you are.”
HELEN CHAMBERLAIN
One of Soccer AM’s OG presenters from back in the day, Helen presented the show every Saturday morning from 1995 for 22 years, leaving in 2017.
Chamberlain has mostly disappeared from TV screens, but was spotted making a rare public appearance with Fallon Sherrock at the darts last July.
She also worked on the inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship, interviewing some of the stars.
And she rescues animals on her farm, telling the Athletic in 2020: “I spent nearly half my life sitting on that sofa.
“I was there for nearly 23 years. That’s a long time to have any job, never mind a job in broadcasting.
“I had the farm to see to. I wanted to rescue more dogs and breed sheep and chickens. So I didn’t have time for Saturday mornings anymore.”
TIM LOVEJOY
Tim joined Soccer AM in 1996 after working on the Big Breakfast show.
He and Chamberlain became a mighty pairing on the Saturday sofa.
But their partnership ended in 2007 when Lovejoy left Soccer AM to create Channel Bee, an internet television channel.
He later went on to present Something for the Weekend, a Sunday morning cooking show on BBC2.
And Lovejoy now fronts Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 alongside co-host Simon Rimmer.
ROCKET
Real name James Long, he first joined Soccer AM as a 15-year-old on work experience before becoming a producer.
His Skill Skool segment featured the likes of Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling when they were teenagers.
Rocket spent 19 years on the show before leaving in 2017 to become JOE’s Head of Sports Production.
He then went to Snack Media and is now Head of Production at Mola TV.
Reflecting on Soccer AM, Rocket said in 2020: “It was organised chaos, a bit of carnage.
“The camera’s whipping round and you never know what you’re going to see next.”
BABY ELVIS
Baby Elvis was the hilarious alter-ego of Adam Smith – who also played Danny Dyer lookalike Frankie Fryer.
Smith made fans chuckle as he paid homage to football stadiums up and down the country.
He stepped away from Soccer AM in 2015 and now works on various shows like Sky Sports’ The Debate, as well as TalkSport radio.
In 2021 Smith bravely revealed his struggles with mental health, saying: “Not gonna lie I’ve been struggling MENTALLY.
“I’m taking up to 10 insulin injections daily for my Type 1 [diabetes] as can’t exercise post hernia op.
“My son got rushed to hospital by ambulance Sunday and the trauma from his birth still haunts me. Don’t keep your problems bottled up.”
ROBBIE KNOX
Robbie first got involved with Soccer AM in 2000 as a producer before becoming a regular on camera.
Was given nickname “Tramp”, which was sung to the tune of The Champ by The Mohawks.
Knox worked on the show for seven years before departing with Tim Lovejoy.
He then created a production company called Dry Lunch Productions, and is now a content creator on social media while also co-hosting the Happy Hour podcast.
MAX RUSHDEN
Former BBC London and TalkSport man Max eventually took over from Lovejoy in 2008 following Andy Goldstein’s short stint.
He became popular with fans despite having big shoes to fill and stayed on the air until 2015.
Rushden then hosted The Fantasy Football Club before returning to TalkSport for The Warm Up.
He also hosts The Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast and fronts European football for Aussie broadcaster Stan Sport.
LISA HEBDEN
Lisa made the transition to Soccer AM after working for Sky’s Spanish football team.
Became the character Cheryl Mole, who went down a storm with viewers.
And she made history by becoming the show’s first female winner of the infamous dance off.
Hebden quit Soccer AM in 2017 before becoming a senior production coordinator at Gravity Media.
She also runs her own hair and make-up business, with one of her clients being BBC presenter Emma Louise Jones.
