Katie Shananhan has been lauded by snooker fans as a “fabulous addition to TV coverage” after Channel 5 started to broadcast the sport with the presenter stealing the show
Sports fans have hailed an “incredible” reporter and presenter as a “fabulous addition to TV coverage” over on Channel 5.
Katie Shananhan landed the new role when Channel 5 gained the rights to broadcast snooker, with the channel showing the Players Championship, Tour Championship and British Open. And former hockey player Katie is the face of the new coverage, with fans quick to express their delight.
Sharing some behind the scenes snaps, Katie was advertising the Tour Championship final: “A great match to top off another fabulous week covering the snooker!” And fans took the chance to congratulate her on the coverage across the week.
“Coverage has been amazing from start to finish. Viewing figures going great. It’s not work when you’re having fun. Keep smashing it,” one fan responded.
“I thought the half hour of build up to the matches was going to be difficult but you carried it off.. by far the best presentation,” a second said. As a third replied: “You look incredible!”
And another added: “You and the rest of the presenters were absolutely fantastic all week. I really enjoy this new era on Channel 5.. You have been a fabulous addition to the Snooker coverage!”
Katie was a field hockey player and she represented England internationally, but after suffering a fractured skull when the ball hit her in the face and another issue led to spinal reconstruction, Katie went and studied journalism.
She worked for the BBC and Sky Sports in production roles before landing a job as a football reporter for ITV, appearing on screens during coverage of England Women.
However, ahead of her snooker debut, she said: “I’m here, there and everywhere. I’m mainly with ITV, Sky Sports and talkSPORT now and I’ve spent seven years at the BBC.
“I would probably say I’m a multi-sport presenter. It’s been heavily football, but I love all sport. I’ve covered five major football tournaments, two Olympic Games, one Winter Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve covered rugby, NFL, a Women’s Cricket World Cup final at Lords. I can’t wait to get stuck into the snooker next.”