00:00If you haven't seen the announcement, I am being replaced as ITV's senior football commentator.
00:05Quite a few people have been in touch with me, asking me to react, to comment.
00:10I'm not sure that would be a very good idea at the moment.
00:13I was told about three weeks ago, so I have had some time to get my head around the decision,
00:18but I haven't got my head around it.
00:20To be clear, this is ITV's decision, not mine.
00:24And I'm upset, annoyed, baffled.
00:30I would have been interested in commentating the Euro 2020 final for them less than 48 hours ago,
00:35but now I won't be commentating on any of the big England games in the coming year,
00:40and I'm going to miss them. I love this job, and it's gone.
00:44Why? I don't know.
00:47I do not know exactly why this decision has been taken.
00:50Already I've had the producer of a broadcast that I am working on asking me if I've got any health
00:55issues.
00:56No, I have got no health issues.
00:58Asking me if it's something that I've done.
01:01No, there's nothing.
01:03I gather that one or two sites are reporting that I've been sacked.
01:08Well, I guess I have from one job, but I've done nothing wrong.
01:12I'm the same broadcaster, the same person that I've always been.
01:15Like me or hate me, and you're entitled to do either.
01:17You know, like everybody else in football, I am a matter of opinion.
01:21I totally get that, and I totally respect ITV's right to change their opinion of me.
01:27ITV have been really good for me, and yes, I'll carry on as their number two commentator.
01:31But let me make it quite clear.
01:33I have not stepped down.
01:35I have been moved, moved aside.
01:38I've not even thought about winding down towards retirement or anything like that.
01:42Now, listen, there are thousands of people in this country facing up to job losses and disappointments far more serious
01:48than this.
01:49I am a lucky boy.
01:50I love my work, and I've got plenty on.
01:53So, yeah, I'm not making a statement or anything like that.
01:56This is not a grave matter of state.
01:58I'm just trying to explain, just telling you that I'm really, really disappointed about this.
02:04I don't know why I'm being replaced.
02:06I'm well, I'm able, I'm available, and I'm just going to miss the England Games so much, even more than
02:13I miss the Champions League Games.
02:14And that's all.
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