Soccer AM was a huge hit for Sky during its near 30-year run time on the channel but there were a few features that would court controversy including the Soccerette catwalk
Soccer AM icon Tim Lovejoy has admitted that he is left ‘cringing’ by the Soccerette feature on the now cancelled show.
The programme became a huge hit for Sky following its initial broadcast in 1995. Lovejoy, alongside fellow presenter Helen Chamberlain, became staples of Saturday morning TV.
And the pair were at the heart of some of the most iconic features on the show including the infamous ‘Soccerette’ segment. It would involve a young female fan modelling a shirt while being interviewed by Lovejoy.
He would ask their relationship status, with their responses being met by either cheers or boos depending on whether they were single or not. They would also be asked their age, which would also trigger responses from the audience.
The woman would then walk up and down a catwalk alongside Lovejoy and one of the fans of the week. And he has since claimed that he finds some of the segments difficult to watch.
He said: “We would never do it now. I cringe sometimes when I look back at some of them because they’re not really suitable for today’s world.”
And while Lovejoy admitted his embarrassment at some elements, both Chamberlain and Tubes have defended the segment, with it being revealed that the girls sent letters to the channel in an effort to appear.
“The girls enjoyed it. They loved coming on,” Tubes said, while Chamberlain replied: “That’s the key for me, they all applied.”
What do you think was the best Soccer AM feature? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Meanwhile, both Lovejoy and Chamberlain claimed that the segment was only a success due to the women themselves, with just the host and fan being the amusing additions alongside.
Lovejoy said: “You’d get them up, watching men walk up and down. Why can’t men walk up and down the catwalk!? That was the funny bit, I thought, watching these guys trying their hardest to catwalk.”
Chamberlain added: “That was also the nice bit about having a soccerette in the middle of you two because if it had just been you and a fan it would have been really ugly to watch every week!”
Lovejoy eventually left Soccer AM in 2007 after just over a decade on screens. He was eventually replaced by Andy Goldstein and then Max Rushden. Chamberlain meanwhile stayed until 2017 having been one of the original cast members. Soccer AM was eventually pulled from screens in 2023.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more
