Everton legend Andy Gray is set to return to his co-commentary role on UK television for Liverpool's game against Atletico Madrid, 15 years after he was fired by Sky Sports
Ex-Everton player Andy Gray is interviewed on the Goodison Park pitch.
Ex-Everton player Andy Gray is interviewed on the Goodison Park pitch.(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Andy Gray is set to make a return to commentating in the UK, 15 years after he was fired by Sky Sports following a sexism scandal.
Gray has been working abroad for beIN SPORTS in Qatar in the meantime, alongside his long-standing partner Richard Keys. The duo relocated to the Middle East after their Sky Sports departure following the remarks made in 2011.
They were filmed making derogatory and misogynistic comments regarding assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis and questioning women's capability to officiate football matches.
However, Keys and Gray have now returned to the UK from Doha. They are pursuing the next chapter and have set up a podcast.
Gray, 70, has also secured a position with talkSPORT, and will be the co-commentator for Liverpool's Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
He will join Jim Proudfoot at Anfield for the channel's radio coverage, 12 years after a brief stint covering the FA Cup with BT Sport.
"I'd like to think, somewhere, I could do a bit of commentary," Gray told the Daily Mail last month. "Not television, maybe, but radio. Just to see what it feels like again. I would like that."
Andy Gray at Goodison Park
Andy Gray at Goodison Park(Image: (Carl Recine/Getty Images))
Keys added: "I would be happy for you if that happened. I think you deserve it. To hear him back, analyzing a football match, that would be special. He's the best I've ever known."
Gray featured for Aston Villa, Wolves and Everton during a 17-year playing career before establishing himself as a prominent voice on Sky Sports in the early 2000s.
Keys was heard saying: "Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her (Massey)," to which Gray replied: "Yeah, I know. Can you believe that? Female linesman. Forget what I said – they probably don't know the offside rule."
Keys then stated: "Course they don't" to which Gray responded: "Why is there a female linesman? Somebody's f***** up big."
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Reflecting on his 2011 remarks, Gray said: "I can't imagine saying today what I said then, I just can't. I think we were two of the first people ever canceled. I had 20 reporters outside my house for weeks."
He told Piers Morgan in 2022 that he considered taking his own life amid the backlash. "I suddenly found myself in a really dark place," he said.
"The house surrounded by people. And I knew I had done something wrong, of course I did, but I couldn't compute it.
"My head was gone. If it hadn't been for my wife, I don't know what would have happened. I really don't. Rachel was amazing. I was close to going down the garden, where I used to have a pond, with a little bottle and a few pills. I was that bad, one day — that bad, yeah... really weird, but I'm through it now."