Kirsty Gallacher has stepped down from her role in Soccer Aid after 10 years of hosting the charity match.
The TV presenter, 45, confirmed she’s not returning to the event, which has raised an impressive £38million for Unicef since 2006, saying she’s ‘loved every minute’.
While a source claimed that the star’s exit was ‘part of a shake-up’ being attempted by bosses who want to give the annual game a ‘fresher feel’.
Stepping down: Kirsty Gallacher has left Soccer Aid after 10 years of hosting the annual charity match (pictured in 2019)
Kirsty has hosted the football match for the past decade and has been joined by The X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary, 47, since 2010.
Confirming she’s leaving her hosting gig, Kirsty said: ‘I’ve loved every minute of my experience on Soccer Aid, it’s been fabulous to work with Dermot, such an amazing team and the amazing players that have kindly given up their time to play.
‘I can confirm I’m stepping down – it feels like the right time after ten years and following a record breaking year in 2020 and excitingly I’ve got a new project that will prevent me from taking part.’
While a source told the publication: ‘Those at the top insist that not asking her back is nothing personal and is just part of a shake-up… it’s about diversifying and giving the event a fresher feel.’
Long running: The presenter, 45, has hosted the football match for the past decade and has been joined by The X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary, 47, since 2010 (pictured in 2020)
MailOnline has contacted Kirsty’s representatives and Unicef for further comment.
The 2020 Soccer Aid match was played behind-closed-doors at Old Trafford stadium and saw a record £9,331,174 raised for Unicef.
The game ended 1-1 and saw a penalty shootout however the Soccer Aid World XI team managed to hold onto their winners’ title for another year.
Celebs and athletes who took part in the star-studded line-up included Usain Bolt, Kem Cetinay, Mo Gilligan, Olly Murs and Kelly Smith.
It comes after Kirsty said she feels ‘completely ready’ to have a baby with her new mystery boyfriend.
What a year: The 2020 Soccer Aid match was played behind-closed-doors at Old Trafford stadium and saw a record £9,331,174 raised for Unicef (pictured the World XI with their trophy)
The TV star and mother-of-two is in a new relationship and said she is thinking about having a third child – but would want to get pregnant ‘sooner rather than later’.
Kirsty parted ways with her ex-husband, retired rugby player Paul Sampson, 43, in 2015 after a 15-year relationship and they co-parent two sons Oscar, 14, and Jude, 11.
She said: ‘I wouldn’t put anything past having another child… I’d obviously want to do it sooner rather than later, but I toy with it right now.’
Speaking on Women’s Health podcast, Going For Goal, she added: ‘I’m in a new relationship right now and I feel like saying if someone’s got a problem [with her having another child at 45], why is that?
‘Why am I too old? What is the problem if I’m fit, healthy, able, and we want to do that?’
‘I’d love another child’: Kirsty recently revealed she would like to try for a baby with her new boyfriend and would want to get pregnant ‘sooner rather than later’ (pictured in 2019)
The fitness enthusiast said she feels physically and mentally prepared to get pregnant again, saying: ‘I’d love another child, I feel completely ready for it.
‘I feel healthier than ever, fitter than ever, I think my mind’s better than it’s ever been.’
And while reflecting on her ‘complex’ divorce in 2015, the former Sky Sports presenter spoke about coming out stronger following ‘rough patches’ in her life, including a drink driving charge shortly after the split.
She said: ‘I think sometimes when you have rough patches in your life… as long as you learn, come through it, and get yourself back in a strong place again, I think you feel rather good.
‘And you feel like “Yeah I can deal with life now, I feel better”. I’m glad I’ve been through all that and out the other end, and new beginnings. It’s great, I’m loving my life now.’
Doting mama: The former couple co-parent two sons Oscar, 14, and Jude, 11 (pictured)
Split: The broadcaster parted ways with her ex-husband, retired rugby player Paul Sampson, 43, in 2015 after a 15-year relationship (pictured in 2011)
Kirsty previously said she was a ‘skinny’ and ‘anxious wreck’ after her divorce from the retired rugby star after four years of marriage.
Talking about her marital split on The Power Of Ten podcast, Kirsty admitted she was ‘traumatised’ after the ‘complex’ divorce.
Kirsty credited her ‘amazing’ personal trainer and retired professional rugby player, Mel Deane, for ‘saving’ her during the difficult time.
She said: ‘To be honest, well, that’s sort of when I came to meeting Mel and probably he saved me in many ways. I was a skinny, anxious wreck, traumatised because of lots of reasons around the divorce.’
Kirsty added: ‘It’s much more complex than people know. There are things you keep private. And I think that Mel got to know me and what I’d been through and was amazing for me.’
‘Saving her’: Kirsty credited her ‘amazing’ personal trainer and retired professional rugby player, Mel Deane (pictured) for ‘saving’ her during her ‘complex’ divorce