BBC presenter makes surprise return after emotional exit
Former BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown made a surprise return to the airwaves over the weekend as he helped out with coverage of the Sheffield United v Sunderland Championship match
A BBC news presenter has delighted fans by coming out of retirement to help with coverage of a sporting event. Jeff Brown disappointed fans in March last year when he announced he was stepping away from the news desk and seeking retirement.
Jeff had been a presenter on BBC Look North for 21 years before he hung up his microphone for a quieter life. But this weekend, the star revealed he was coming "off the bench" to help with coverage of the English Football League Championship.
On Saturday, sports fans were on the edge of their seats as Sheffield United took on Sunderland at Wembley Stadium in London. When the whistle was blown at full time, Sunderland were crowned winners of the game, scoring two goals over Sheffield, who managed to net just one.
Jeff had a front row seat for all the ball chasing action - and revealed he was back in his presenting role to provide a match report. Taking to X after the match had been won, the TV star shared a photograph of himself sitting in front of a monitor while in the stadium.
In an accompanying message, he hinted that he could return to screens more than once, while also hinting this could be his final credit for the BBC. He wrote: "Came off the bench for (probably) my final stint in the Wembley press box. And what a way to sign off!"
He added: "Match report on tonight's BBC Look North @BBCNEandCumbria." His return was warmly received by fans who rushed to praise his return.
Responding to his post, one fan replied to write to the presenter: "Good to see you Jeff." While another wrote: "Couldn't have asked for any more Jeff. We'll enjoy the moment then look forward to a tough season ahead."
And a further fan typed: "Fantastic weekend Jeff. Good luck and see you around the hallways." While many others expressed their joy over the end of match result.
Jeff previously announced his retirement in March 2024 - with the news of his exit from the North East show coming as a shock to fans in the region. The TV host had been a popular member of the team since 2003 - specialising in sport while also fronting news bulletins on a regular basis.
Over the course of his career on BBC Look North, he was nominated for Royal Television Society awards - and broke the news of his exit directly to fans. Taking to X at the time, he explained why he felt the time was right to step away from the corporation.
He wrote: "News just in…after nearly 21yrs with BBC Look North @BBCLN I'm moving on. Projects in the pipeline with BBC & others, but (as you can see) it's been fun, and a huge, wonderful part of my life. Thanks for watching."
In a more details statement released around the same time, Jeff said: "Presenting BBC Look North - filling the seat once occupied by the great Mike Neville - has been the undoubted highlight of my career, something I could never have imagined when I set out as a journalist.
'It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to work with such talented and dedicated teams over the years, and I'm proud to count them as my friends.
"I'm also truly grateful to the many people and organisations across the North East and Cumbria who have allowed me to tell their stories, and to be welcomed into hundreds of thousands of homes every night."
He added: 'Sport has always been my passion – whatever colour the team is wearing or the shape of the ball! I hope I've been able to reflect the depth of feeling fans have for their teams because in that respect our region is unique'.
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