Alex Scott is one of the BBC’s leading football presenters
BBC favourite Alex Scott is a key figure in the broadcaster’s coverage of this summer’s Women’s European Championships and she will be back on screens today as the Lionesses face Spain in the final in Basel.
Scott has become a fixture in BBC’s football broadcasts over recent years, emerging as one of the most recognisable faces during major international tournaments.
Scott, who previously played as a right-back for Arsenal and England, earning 140 caps, has since established herself as one of the most esteemed broadcasters in British sport, fronting the BBC’s Football Focus, among other shows.
Away from football, here is what you need to know about the footballer-turned-presenter.
BBC salary disclosed
The BBC’s annual salary report, published online earlier this month, reveals that Scott earns between £205,000 and £209,999 for her work with the corporation.
This represents a decrease from the previous financial year when she was in the £220,000-£224,999 bracket.
Her earnings encompass a variety of roles, including studio presenting for women’s football, the Olympics and appearances on other shows such as Football Focus and The One Show.
Scott stands out as one of the most high-profile women in British broadcasting, and one of the few prominent female sports presenters in the BBC’s higher pay brackets.
Relationship with Jess Glynne and Jet2 backlash
Scott is romantically involved with popstar Jess Glynne, with the pair publicly acknowledging their relationship in recent months after being seen together frequently since 2023.
Glynne has gained fame for chart-topping hits such as Rather Be, Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself, I’ll Be There and Hold My Hand – the latter of which is widely recognised as the backing track to Jet2’s enduring TV advertisements.
However, Glynne’s song has faced some backlash from Jet2 customers, given its nine-year association with the airline.
Several passengers have voiced their annoyance at the airline’s habit of playing the track up to 10 times during a single flight.
In 2018, Jet2 found itself defending the decision to persist with the Hold My Hand campaign after a passenger tweeted: “Pls give Jess Glynn a rest.”
Jet2 replied: “We’re sorry to hear that you’re not a fan of the song and we’ll be sure to pass this on to the team! We find Jess Glynne gets us in the holiday spirit.”
In response to another passenger in 2019 who grumbled about the frequency of Glynne’s songs being played, they stated: “Sorry to hear that you feel this way. We have a range of different songs played on board including Jess Glynne, however we also include a variety of other feel-good songs that get you in the holiday spirit.”
Jet2 had previously expressed to Travel Mole their satisfaction with the customer response to their advertising approach, stating: “Our Hold My Hand concept is very popular with customers, and we receive a huge amount of positive feedback about both the advert and the song.”
Move abroad
Speculation has been rife that Scott might be considering a move across the pond with Glynne, following a challenging spell at the BBC which became public knowledge last October.
The Sun disclosed that Scott felt ‘hurt’ by a dip in Football Focus ratings, a programme she hosts, along with feeling a lack of support from BBC chiefs.
Scott had earlier refuted claims about dwindling viewership figures on X in September 2023, maintaining that the numbers were robust.
However, by October 2024, an insider claimed: “Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus.
“The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.”
Regarding potential plans with Glynne, the source indicated they were “contemplating a move to America”.
Nevertheless, for the time being, Scott remains in the UK.
Acid attack threat
Scott has been candid about the more harrowing aspects of fame, including severe abuse and threats, such as an acid attack threat, that she’s encountered since gaining celebrity status.
In a heartfelt interview with The Times, she disclosed receiving threats of an acid attack, with some messages being so deeply troubling they made her fear for her personal safety.
“There are negatives to fame. I’ve had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats,” she told The Times.
“People were saying, ‘She’s only on TV because she’s black, female and younger. She’s just ticking boxes’.
“I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face.”
Scott has also revealed she has been subjected to racist and misogynistic harassment, frequently connected to her position as a high-profile woman of colour in football commentary – an arena traditionally dominated by men.
Despite facing such hostility, she has persisted in championing increased representation and prominence within the sport.
