Match of the Day celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, after launching back in August 1964 with a game between Arsenal and Liverpool.
Half a century later, after five decades of triumph and tragedy for football fans across the country, the UK's flagship football programme is still going strong and remains as iconic as ever.
To celebrate this, Digital Spy has collated its own Premier League table of Motd icons from past and present. Using a (likely contentious) points system based around football knowledge, longevity on the show and a certain 'magic factor' that makes them a warm presence on our screens, this is our just-for-fun chart of the biggest names in its history.
Key: K=Knowledge L=Longevity M=Magic Factor (out of 10)
20. Robbie Savage – 14 points
K: 4, L: 4, M: 6
Love him or hate him, Robbie has grown to become one of Motd's most regular pundits over the past couple of...
Half a century later, after five decades of triumph and tragedy for football fans across the country, the UK's flagship football programme is still going strong and remains as iconic as ever.
To celebrate this, Digital Spy has collated its own Premier League table of Motd icons from past and present. Using a (likely contentious) points system based around football knowledge, longevity on the show and a certain 'magic factor' that makes them a warm presence on our screens, this is our just-for-fun chart of the biggest names in its history.
Key: K=Knowledge L=Longevity M=Magic Factor (out of 10)
20. Robbie Savage – 14 points
K: 4, L: 4, M: 6
Love him or hate him, Robbie has grown to become one of Motd's most regular pundits over the past couple of...
- 8/22/2014
- Digital Spy
Jason Gardiner has hit back at those who attacked him over his "glum face" during the Dancing on Ice final, revealing that he was trying to cope with the news that a family member is "critically ill".
The panellist made it clear to viewers "who have given [him] s**t" for appearing unenthusiastic as Beth Tweddle skated to victory on Sunday (March 10) that he was focusing on his grandfather's hospitalisation.
"For those who have given me s**t for my glum face on the final, I received very sad news that my grandfather was critical ill in hospital," he wrote this morning (March12).
Gardiner had earlier paid tribute to Dancing on Ice commentator Tony Gubba, who on Monday was revealed to have died at the age of 69 after a short illness.
"@dancingonice lost one of our key people," he wrote. "A fine fellow and a real pro respected in his field.
The panellist made it clear to viewers "who have given [him] s**t" for appearing unenthusiastic as Beth Tweddle skated to victory on Sunday (March 10) that he was focusing on his grandfather's hospitalisation.
"For those who have given me s**t for my glum face on the final, I received very sad news that my grandfather was critical ill in hospital," he wrote this morning (March12).
Gardiner had earlier paid tribute to Dancing on Ice commentator Tony Gubba, who on Monday was revealed to have died at the age of 69 after a short illness.
"@dancingonice lost one of our key people," he wrote. "A fine fellow and a real pro respected in his field.
- 3/12/2013
- Digital Spy
Tony Gubba has died. The commentator passed away today (11.03.13) after a short illness aged 69, his family have confirmed. He will be remembered for his work as a BBC sportscaster, and more recently as the voice of ITV series 'Dancing On Ice', which he had worked on since its launch in 2006. Tony is survived by his partner of 15 years, Jenny, his two daughters, Claire, 40 and Libby, 38 and three granddaughters. Tony had been the Daily Mirror newspaper's north of England correspondent before joining BBC Sport in 1972. There he worked on programmes including 'Sportsnight', 'Grandstand' and 'Match of...
- 3/11/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Dancing on Ice commentator Tony Gubba has died at the age of 69.
He was born in Manchester and also commentated on sports throughout his career, making regular appearances on Match of the Day and Grandstand.
A statement on his official website from representatives Nmp Live read: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Tony Gubba aged 69, following a short illness. Our thoughts are with his family."
Gubba appeared on all eight series of Dancing on Ice from 2006 to the most recent run in 2013, but took sick leave some weeks ago.
Last year marked Gubba's 40th season as a football commentator. He took over from Barry Davies to become the third-longest serving football commentator of all time on British TV, following John Motson and Gerald Sinstadt.
He first worked as a local newspaper reporter in Lancashire before joining The Daily Mirror. He also worked for the BBC,...
He was born in Manchester and also commentated on sports throughout his career, making regular appearances on Match of the Day and Grandstand.
A statement on his official website from representatives Nmp Live read: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Tony Gubba aged 69, following a short illness. Our thoughts are with his family."
Gubba appeared on all eight series of Dancing on Ice from 2006 to the most recent run in 2013, but took sick leave some weeks ago.
Last year marked Gubba's 40th season as a football commentator. He took over from Barry Davies to become the third-longest serving football commentator of all time on British TV, following John Motson and Gerald Sinstadt.
He first worked as a local newspaper reporter in Lancashire before joining The Daily Mirror. He also worked for the BBC,...
- 3/11/2013
- Digital Spy
We've endured enjoyed the past nine weeks of skating mayhem and tonight, hardy viewers, we've reached the Dancing on Ice final!
As Jason prepares to pack up his put-downs and Torvill and Dean return to whatever it is they do when this isn't on, Matt Lapinskas, Beth Tweddle and Luke Campbell are going for victory.
With a Showcase routine, a Bolero performance and a returning skaters' medley (hooray!) to smash, Digital Spy will be following all of the action. So join us, and get the pizzas in, as it's going to be a good one...
21:00Thanks so much for joining Digital Spy for the past ten weeks - it's been an icy blast. Goodnight, everyone!
20:59So massive congrats to Beth, who looked pretty pleased to take the trophy! Less could be said for Matt who was clearly pretty narked, as was judge Jason. As the camera cut to...
As Jason prepares to pack up his put-downs and Torvill and Dean return to whatever it is they do when this isn't on, Matt Lapinskas, Beth Tweddle and Luke Campbell are going for victory.
With a Showcase routine, a Bolero performance and a returning skaters' medley (hooray!) to smash, Digital Spy will be following all of the action. So join us, and get the pizzas in, as it's going to be a good one...
21:00Thanks so much for joining Digital Spy for the past ten weeks - it's been an icy blast. Goodnight, everyone!
20:59So massive congrats to Beth, who looked pretty pleased to take the trophy! Less could be said for Matt who was clearly pretty narked, as was judge Jason. As the camera cut to...
- 3/10/2013
- Digital Spy
Tony Gubba has died. The commentator passed away today (11.03.13) after a short illness aged 69, his family have confirmed. He will be remembered for his work as a BBC sportscaster, and more recently as the voice of ITV series 'Dancing On Ice', which he had worked on since its launch in 2006. Tony is survived by his partner of 15 years, Jenny, his two daughters, Claire, 40 and Libby, 38 and three granddaughters. Tony had been the Daily Mirror newspaper's north of England correspondent before joining BBC Sport in 1972. There he worked on programmes including 'Sportsnight', 'Grandstand' and 'Match of...
- 3/8/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
We're nearly there, everyone! After eight weeks, we've reached the Dancing on Ice semi-final.
Remaining famous (ish) faces Gareth, Matt, Luke and Beth are going to be pulling out all the stops and headline-grabbing shenanigans tonight as they try and make it into the final three.
Harnesses and wires will be strapped on as these four take to the skies (or that bit of space above Elstree Studios at least) for what can only be called 'Flying Week'.
So fetch the Doritos, grab a seat and enjoy with Digital Spy…
20:55Well, that was it! What an eventful half hour we had. Join us back here next week for the Dancing on Ice final, as Matt, Beth and Luke battle it out to be crowned 2013 champ! Goodnight, and thanks for joining Digital Spy.
20:51Dan peering from behind Beth's leg was a bit The Shining.
20:50Well, it'd be a shame to waste the costumes,...
Remaining famous (ish) faces Gareth, Matt, Luke and Beth are going to be pulling out all the stops and headline-grabbing shenanigans tonight as they try and make it into the final three.
Harnesses and wires will be strapped on as these four take to the skies (or that bit of space above Elstree Studios at least) for what can only be called 'Flying Week'.
So fetch the Doritos, grab a seat and enjoy with Digital Spy…
20:55Well, that was it! What an eventful half hour we had. Join us back here next week for the Dancing on Ice final, as Matt, Beth and Luke battle it out to be crowned 2013 champ! Goodnight, and thanks for joining Digital Spy.
20:51Dan peering from behind Beth's leg was a bit The Shining.
20:50Well, it'd be a shame to waste the costumes,...
- 3/3/2013
- Digital Spy
It's the week we've all been waiting for on Dancing on Ice. It's time to bring out the props!
However, that doesn't mean we'll be seeing a return for Lauren Goodger. Instead, it's the infamous week where the five skaters still (just about) standing are being handed the baton (or hats or chairs or whatever items were lying about in ITV's reception) as they take to the ice in a bid to make it to next week's semi-final.
So sit back, relax and let Digital Spy be your armchair companion for what could be the last ever chance we get to see celebs throwing hula hoops at each other on primetime telly...
20:55That's it! Another week gone, and only two to go. It's semi-final time next week, with Luke, Gareth, Beth and Matt going all-out to make it to the final. Join us back here next Sunday to see them all fly (well,...
However, that doesn't mean we'll be seeing a return for Lauren Goodger. Instead, it's the infamous week where the five skaters still (just about) standing are being handed the baton (or hats or chairs or whatever items were lying about in ITV's reception) as they take to the ice in a bid to make it to next week's semi-final.
So sit back, relax and let Digital Spy be your armchair companion for what could be the last ever chance we get to see celebs throwing hula hoops at each other on primetime telly...
20:55That's it! Another week gone, and only two to go. It's semi-final time next week, with Luke, Gareth, Beth and Matt going all-out to make it to the final. Join us back here next Sunday to see them all fly (well,...
- 2/24/2013
- Digital Spy
With Valentine's Day around the corner, inevitably this means that the cheesy themes are back in business for Dancing on Ice.
Of course it's 'Love Week', so we can probably expect plenty of heart cartoons projected onto the ice, pink costumes and more mention of Samia and Sylvain's 'romance' than you can shake a sparkly stick at.
So dig out the chocolate and sparkling wine (ITV cutbacks etc) and join Digital Spy for all of the luurvely action…
20:55Thanks for joining Digital Spy this evening, and don't forget to put a bid on Pasquale's jockstrap on eBay tomorrow morning. Night, all!
20:55Well, not exactly a shock result - but a bit of a sad one at the same time as at least Joe brought a few lols to the ice. Although I can't say I'm going to miss talk of his prostate or bowel movements.
20:52Teflon...
Of course it's 'Love Week', so we can probably expect plenty of heart cartoons projected onto the ice, pink costumes and more mention of Samia and Sylvain's 'romance' than you can shake a sparkly stick at.
So dig out the chocolate and sparkling wine (ITV cutbacks etc) and join Digital Spy for all of the luurvely action…
20:55Thanks for joining Digital Spy this evening, and don't forget to put a bid on Pasquale's jockstrap on eBay tomorrow morning. Night, all!
20:55Well, not exactly a shock result - but a bit of a sad one at the same time as at least Joe brought a few lols to the ice. Although I can't say I'm going to miss talk of his prostate or bowel movements.
20:52Teflon...
- 2/10/2013
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.