Tim Lovejoy has sparked controversy after suggesting that Soccer AM's famous Soccerette segment would be inappropriate for modern television.
The former host of the show revealed he has faced significant backlash on social media for his comments.
"We talked about Soccerette and Smithy says 'Don't be woke nonsense, Tim.' I said 'I don't think we would do it in this day and age,' and people are not happy about that at all!" Lovejoy admitted on Soccer A-Z.
"They're calling me Woke Nonsense, Woke Nonsense Tim," he added.
Sky Sports legend Tim Lovejoy has sparked controversy after suggesting that Soccer AM's famous Soccerette segment would be inappropriate for modern television
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The Soccerette feature, introduced in the late 1990s, became a staple of the show's format.
Each segment featured a young female fan modelling a football shirt in front of the 'Fans of the Week'.
Lovejoy would interview the women, asking about their relationship status - with the audience cheering for singles and booing for those in relationships.
The segment culminated in a catwalk strut, with the Soccerette positioned between Lovejoy and a fan on Sky Sports.
"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," Lovejoy recalled.
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Despite the controversy, numerous former Soccerettes have defended the segment with fond memories.
"I loved my experience as a Soccerette back in September 2000. Still have the T-shirt and it fits, too," shared Claire.
Nicky expressed similar sentiments: "I was a Soccerette back in the day and bloody loved it."
"Loved being a Soccerette and was also asked to go on to be a beer wench," Sarah recalled.
Amy added nostalgically: "I always wanted to be a Soccerette. Had my outfit and practiced the walk up and down the hallway all the time. Ah, a different time!"
Lovejoy now takes a more critical view of the once-popular segment.
"We would never do it now," he admitted. "I cringe sometimes when I look back at some of them because they're not really suitable for today's world."
However, Soccer AM legend Tubes defended the feature, insisting the women actively sought to participate.
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"The girls enjoyed it. They loved coming on," he said.
"That's the key for me, they all applied," added Chamberlain.
Chamberlain also noted the practical benefit of having a Soccerette: "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!"
Soccer AM was axed in 2023 after proving a huge hit for Sky Sports over many years.
Tim Lovejoy was the face of Soccer AM before it was axed back in 2023
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The 90-minute football comedy show featured various segments and interviews with prominent figures in football.
The programme was the first live Sky show to require a broadcast delay due to lewd references and swearing.
What began as a three-second delay eventually extended to 10 seconds.
Sky Sports' schedule has undergone significant changes in recent years, with regular shake-ups to shows and presenters. Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas were all dismissed in 2020, having previously been among the main faces of their Soccer Saturday coverage.
