Disgraced TV presenter fires vicious dig at Alan Shearer and Ant & Dec for Newcastle United celebrations
Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has taken aim at Alan Shearer and Ant & Dec for their role in Newcastle United’s trophy celebrations.
A sea of black and white swept over the city as the Magpies celebrated ending 70 years without domestic silverware. Eddie Howe’s squad were paraded through the town centre on an open-top bus before an afterparty took place on the Town Moor.
More than 300,000 fans gave the Wembley heroes a reception they will never forget in scenes that, for most on Tyneside, had never been witnessed before. Geordie duo Ant & Dec were at the front of the action, interviewing players on the bus before hosting the latter part of the Town Moor event.
Club icon Shearer also gave an emotional speech to the horde of black-and-white supporters. Reflecting on the experience, he told The Rest Is Football podcast: “That moment, when I actually walked out and saw northwards of 150,000 people in black and white shirts and them cheering my name, that moment will live with me forever.
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"It really was just an incredible moment and it was so, so special. I said if I couldn't win one myself, I had to be there as a fan. I was there a couple of weeks ago and I was there for the trophy parade.”
However, disgraced TV presenter Keys has fired a dig at Newcastle’s celebrity contingent. While praising Toon fans for their homecoming, the 67-year-old aimed a vicious personal attack towards Shearer, Ant and Dec.
“Speaking of Newcastle, what a turnout they had to celebrate their Carabao Cup win,” he wrote on his personal blog. “Top class. I saw Alan Shearer front and centre again, despite the fact he had nothing to do with the success.
“I had to wonder if he still thinks ‘medals don’t buy shopping’? That was always his excuse for turning his back on (Manchester) United and a trophy haul that would’ve inevitably followed had he gone to Old Trafford. There’s no feeling to replace that of winning – even second hand it seems.
“I’ve also seen enough of those professional Geordies Ant and Dec to last a lifetime. Tell me, where do they live on Tyneside?”
Eddie Howe on ‘incredible’ Newcastle United support as Wor Flags unveil stunning tribute
Eddie Howe, unsurprisingly, was in a far more complimentary mood to the event after seeing Wor Flags unveil a mammoth banner on the Sandman Signature hotel. He said: "This is really incredible, absolutely mind-blowing. You've got people hanging from lampposts, out of buildings… I hope everyone's all right.
"I can't thank everyone enough, from Newcastle, the way they've embraced me and my family and I'm glad to have given them some joy.”