Soccer Saturday legend Jeff Stelling reveals ‘unlikely’ place he was requested for a selfie
Telly host Jeff Stelling was asked for a selfie – by a local man halfway up the highest mountain in Africa.
The ex-Soccer Saturday frontman was on a fundraising climb up Kilimanjaro when he was stunned to learn he had fans in the remote region.
Jeff and a group of pals – who raised more than £100,000 for charity – had been accompanied by two guides and helpers known as Rafiki.
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He said: “I had also learnt that Soccer Saturday was popular in the most unlikely places.
“Halfway up Kilimanjaro, one of the Rafiki, Samuel, had approached me quite shyly and asked for his photo to be taken with me.
“His friend apparently owned one of the biggest satellite dishes in Tanzania and they could receive Sky Sports. He and his mates regularly watched the show.
“It’s the first and only time I have been asked for a selfie halfway up an African mountain. I am not sure whether Sky’s investigation units tracking illegal viewing have quite reached as far as Moshi yet, though I wouldn’t be too surprised!”
In his new autobiography Saturday Afternoon Fever, Jeff also said he is still tortured by fans shouting at him in the street even though he left the show last year.
He revealed: “In the time since I have left Sky I still hear the cries of ‘Unbelievable Jeff!’ from passers-by and black-cab drivers.
“But often it is now accompanied with ‘It isn’t the same anymore, Jeff’. That saddens me as that was never my intention when I left Soccer Saturday.”
Jeff, 69, also admitted that some punters get him mixed up with other sports presenters.
He added: “I have been mistaken for many people. Usually Geoff Shreeves or Richard Keys. I don’t mind the former, not so keen on being called the latter!
“I was once misidentified as Trevor Brooking. Yes, that 6 feet tall, slender, ex-England international footballer Trevor Brooking.
“The only thing we have in common is that neither of us can head a ball!”
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