TalkSPORT’s Laura Woods is moving on from her primetime radio presenting gig, which she announced on June 14.
She has won several awards for her work as the station’s Sports Breakfast show presenter, including the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) Sports Presenter of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
Her efforts also helped talkSPORT to win the Best Speech Breakfast Show at the Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS) in 2021. The ARIAS are considered the Oscars of UK radio and audio.
Woods, 35, first joined talkSPORT in 2017. She reviewed the papers for 30 minutes a week when Alan Brazil was the regular host of the breakfast show.
“I have some news for you…”
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 14, 2023
“I’ll always be part of this family.” ❤️
Laura Woods bids an emotional farewell to talkSPORT Breakfast. pic.twitter.com/D7754bI0SY
Woods took over from Brazil when he ended his full-time presenting duties in 2020. She proved an instant hit with listeners and helped the breakfast show to attract record audiences.
Here’s everything you need to know about Woods’ talkSPORT departure and her likely future.
Where is Laura Woods going after talkSPORT?
Woods’ last day on the Sports Breakfast show was Wednesday, June 28.
Rumours suggest she will front the newly launched TNT Sports’ Champions League football coverage next season.
TNT, the new brand replacing BT Sport, will run four sports channels from July.
Woods will reportedly replace long-standing presenter Jake Humphrey, who left BT Sport at the end of season.
“After 10 wonderful years, I am stepping back from BT,” Humphrey said in a Twitter post in May. “As a football fan, hosting Premier League matches, FA Cup games and European finals has meant the world to me. It has been my dream job. I’ve loved being a very small part of a world-class production team.
“I also feel blessed to have shared the screen with legends of the game and incredible broadcasters, who have become friends. Thank you all.”
Who will replace Laura Woods on talkSPORT?
Her replacement has not yet been confirmed.
In a parting message, Woods, who is popularly known as ‘Woodsy’, said on Wednesday she had had “the best job you’ll ever experience”. She added: “You lot, our listeners, have given me so much comfort and guided me through some of my toughest moments, without even realising it. So I wanted to thank you personally for that. I will miss it dearly. Even the Spurs fans.
“For what feels like a lifetime, I’ve been a listener of talkSPORT. For the last six years, it’s been my home, where we get to spend our mornings talking about sport. There’s nothing better. I know I will never find a job like this. It’s unique.
“Three years as the host of this amazing breakfast show, three bits of silverware for the trophy cabinet and record listening figures. I’m very proud of what we achieved here. One thing’s for sure: I will always be part of this family at talkSPORT.”
“The most wonderful period of my life.” ❤️
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 28, 2023
“I don’t see it as bye forever. This place will always have a special place in my heart.”
Laura Woods signs off from @TSBreakfast. pic.twitter.com/BkHAiLmmX7
Woods finished by saying: “For now, no more 3am alarms, which is just wonderful. But one thing is for sure is that I wanted to make you know that I’ll always be a part of this family. I will pop back whenever I can. I adore you all. Thank you.
‘”I’m going to have a holiday, a long sleep and I’ll make a decision on what’s next for me. So again, I can’t say it enough, thank you. Thank you, everyone, for having me. I’ll really miss you.”
Head of talkSPORT, Liam Fisher, said: “Her warmth, knowledge and love of sport have shone through and made her always connect with our 3.6 million weekly listeners.
“Her relationship with her fellow presenters like Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor and the galaxy of stars she has interviewed over the last three years as Breakfast host have created a fantastic listen every morning. I’m pleased that Laura will remain a part of the talkSPORT family.”
“It’s 6.23am and I’m crying already.” 💔
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 28, 2023
On Woodsy’s final @TSBreakfast show, this 82 year old listener rang in with a poem.
This was a lovely moment 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/pkygR6r8ur
A tearful McCoist said of his co-host: “Woodsy, it’s been an absolute blast.
“I’m just looking at some tweets, texts and messages coming in from listeners and it just sums it up, everybody loves you to bits, I love you.
“I’ve had an incredible three-year working relationship with you, and honest to God, [I’ve] never had a cross word, which is absolutely unbelievable with sometimes the way I behave.
“We’ve never had a cross word at all; we’ve always got on really, really well, I cannot tell you how much I’ve enjoyed working with you.
“You’ve been an absolute breath of fresh air and particularly 6am to 6.15, I don’t mind telling you. I’ve enjoyed that madness like you’ve got no idea.
“I said to you, we’ll always talk and you’re an absolute star and you’re going on hopefully to do other things that you want to do, which is the most important thing.
“In all seriousness, look through that window, everybody, all those heads are there to say thank you, they love you and Gabby [Agbonlahor] and I love you and we wish you the very, very best going forward.”
