- Kate Abdo began Saturday night hosting CBS Sports’ main UCL final broadcast
- She left Thierry Henry and Co before kick-off to hang out with David Beckham
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There was a shock substitution ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final… and it came in the CBS Sports studio.
Kate Abdo, the ever-slick host of the US broadcaster’s Champions League coverage, briefly left Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher unattended as she exited the set live on air… only to be replaced by a surprise new face.
Midway through the build-up to Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Milan in Munich, Abdo – who also goes by Kate Scott after marrying former boxer Malik Scott last year – announced her sudden departure.
She told her panellists: ‘I would love to stay and chat guys, but I have other friends waiting for me tonight…’
Her comments were met with groans from the panel, while Henry did his best to act shocked.
But they soon perked up when they saw her replacement as presenter: Anita Nneka Jones.
Kate Abdo walked off set during CBS Sports’ Champions League final show
Abdo was replaced by a new presenter as Anita Nneka Jones joined the old panel in Munich
CBS comically cut to Peter Schmeichel acting as the fourth official to confirm the substitution
‘Look who’s coming!’ Abdo grinned, pointing as Jones approached.
Carragher let out a cheer and bellowed: ‘Anita!’ while Richards, asked if this was an official substitution.
Cue Peter Schmeichel, stepping up with a fourth official’s board in hand to complete the comedy handover.
‘Finally, some real quality in the studio,’ Richards joked as Jones settled into her new seat.
CBS’s Champions League coverage is known for its relaxed, banter-filled atmosphere – and Saturday’s antics were no exception.
Abdo didn’t disappear for long, though.
After a commercial break, she reappeared on a different feed as part of Beckham & Friends Live, CBS’s alternate stream featuring celebrity guests and sideline commentary.
Joining Abdo and David Beckham in the VIP section was none other than Tom Cruise.
But Abdo, 43, was soon back on screen, albeit in a different setting and in different company
She left the main CBS show to join David Beckham (right) and Tom Cruise for a watchalong
Previous episodes of Beckham’s Champions League watchalongs have included Guy Ritchie, Stanley Tucci, and James Corden.
Abdo, Beckham and Cruise were treated to an entertaining final, albeit a one-side one as PSG thrashed Inter 5-0 to win their first ever Champions League crown.
The result will have delighted Beckham, who played for PSG 14 times in the 2012-13 season.
Indeed, Beckham ended his playing career at the Parc des Princes.
