Richard Keys immediately taken off air as explosions disrupt football broadcast

Richard Keys was abruptly taken off air following the United States’ and Israel’s bombing of Iran.

The ex-Sky Sports presenter, who has hosted beIN Sports’ football coverage alongside Andy Gray since 2023, was taken off set after explosions were heard in Qatar.

X / beINSPORTS_EN

Keys took to X to reassure fans of his safety, writing: “Thank you all for your messages. It was a bit lively earlier. I don’t have space to express my feelings about that idiot Trump. No show today.

“You’ll be in the capable hands of our colleagues in London. Thoughts & prayers for everyone in our region. Ramadan Kareem.”

It comes after the UK government’s foreign office issued a warning to British nationals in parts of the Middle East.

“Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place,” the instruction read.

“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”

Middle East on alert

Tensions escalated in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran.

Missiles struck the capital Tehran while Iranian forces retaliated with strikes on Israel and other parts of the Gulf region.

The bombing got underway in Iran at 9.40am local time on Saturday morning with multiple cities having reported hearing loud explosions.

The Iranian government claims the attacks targeted both military sites and civilian infrastructure in the country.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the attacks, describing them as necessary to ‘eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime.’

“A short time ago, the US military began major combat operations in Iran,” said Trump speaking from the White House.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the country would ‘take revenge’ and deliver a ‘strong response.’

A controversial past

Meanwhile, Keys, a former talkSPORT presenter, moved to Doha alongside Gray in 2013 after losing their jobs at Sky Sports.

The pair were embroiled in a sexism row after remarks made about female assistant referee Sian Massey were leaked in January 2011.

Gray was later dismissed by Sky after a video surfaced of him making inappropriate comments to presenter Charlotte Jackson.

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Keys later resigned from his post at Sky.

The 68-year-old has been in a long-distance relationship since marrying 37-year-old Lucie Rose in June 2023.

His daughter Jemma was a close friend of Lucie Rose prior to her relationship with Keys. However, she did not attend the pair’s wedding.

The former Super Sunday host split with Julia after 36 years of marriage after his relationship with Lucie Rose surfaced.