Richard Keys found himself unexpectedly off-air at beIN Sports after the UK government advised British citizens abroad to “take immediate shelter” following a US military strike on Iran.
The ex-Sky Sports host took to the social media platform X to share his thoughts, saying, “Thank you all for your messages. Things got a bit intense earlier. I don’t have the words to fully express my thoughts on Trump. No show today.”
He continued, “You’ll be in the capable hands of our colleagues in London. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the region. Ramadan Kareem.”
The advisory stated, “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates should immediately seek shelter.”
It further instructed, “Stay indoors in a secure location, avoid travel, and adhere to local authorities’ guidance.”
Richard Keys was forced off air after Brits abroad were warned to take shelter
Smoke rises in Iran after a bomb strike from the US and Israel with conflict escalating
Keys, who has been residing in Qatar for 13 years while anchoring for the sports network, has been informed that his contract will not be renewed after the current football season, though he will continue working until then.
On Saturday morning, however, he was unable to take to the airwaves, with the frightening instability in the Middle East causing chaos in the region.
The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran, with President Donald Trump warning ‘major combat operations’ are taking place, as they aim for regime change.
Israel say Iran have launched retaliatory strikes of their own and explosions have been heard in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Doha, the capital of Qatar, is next to largest US airbase in the Middle East at Al Udaid, which could be one of the targets for Iranian strikes.
Keys and beIN are based in Qatar and the presenter made it clear what he thought of the military action, calling Trump an ‘idiot’.
In a video statement to the world, Trump had earlier urged the Iranian people to rise up and topple the clerical government.
‘When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,’ he declared.
He also said the Iranian army would be given ‘immunity’ if they laid down arms – vowing that they would face ‘certain death’ if they chose the alternative.
Keys called US president Donald Trump an ‘idiot’ after he was forced off air
Earlier this year, the Iranian government killed 6,480 during widespread protests against their rule. Trump said the government ‘would pay a big price’ and promised help is on the way.
The ramifications of the conflict and possible escalation are still not known but the impact on the region is already significant, with Keys’ no-show just a microscopic example.
The controversial broadcaster and long-time colleague Andy Gray, 70, have resided in Doha since 2013, two years after they both lost their jobs at Sky Sports in the wake of a sexism scandal.
A series of sexist remarks made by Keys and Gray about female assistant referee Sian Massey were picked up and leaked in January 2011 when they thought their microphones were off.
Gray was sacked by Sky Sports after a video showing him making inappropriate comments to presenter Charlotte Jackson was released. Keys resigned from his £500,000-a-year role shortly afterwards.
Keys, 68, is set to move in permanently with his 37-year-old wife, Lucie Rose, with whom he has been in a long-distance relationship since they secretly married in a private £20,000 ceremony in Devon in June 2023.
His son Joshua and daughter Jemma, who was previously one of Lucie Rose’s closest friends before her romantic involvement with Keys, did not attend the wedding.
The presenter split with Julia Keys after 36 years of marriage when news of his shock relationship emerged in 2016, with his ex-wife revealing how the affair ‘devastated’ her as she recovered from thyroid cancer and also wrecked the lives of their two children.
Lucie Rose, above, was previously one of Keys’ daughter’s best friends before their romance
Keys (centre) pictured with his ex-wife Julia (left) and their daughter Jemma (right)
Julia said the affair ruined the career of her Hollyoaks actress daughter as she spiralled into alcoholism and depression. Jemma also faced legal action over a string of abusive texts she sent to Lucie Rose before charges were dropped by prosecutors.
Since joining beIN Sports, Keys and Gray have fronted coverage of the Premier League and Champions League across 24 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, while also presenting for the network at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
It is also claimed that the broadcasting pair could quit live football presenting altogether when they return to the UK.
A spokesman for Richard Keys told the Mail: ‘Richard decided some months ago that, after 13 great years, the time had come to leave beIN with Andy. Following his decision it was mutually agreed that his final broadcasts for the channel would be in May this year.’
