Fans hail ‘brilliant’ late replacement as Simon Thomas forced to pull out of Sky Sports Soccer Saturday at short notice

VIEWERS hailed late replacement Caroline Barker as “terrific” and a “natural” after Simon Thomas pulled out of hosting Sky Sports Soccer Saturday due to Covid.

Versatile broadcaster Barker was called “brilliant” and a future candidate for the permanent role after stepping in on a day the Premier League returned in dramatic fashion.

Viewers reckon stand-in Caroline Barker is a natural for the Soccer Saturday roleGetty

Simon Thomas starts his first show at Soccer Saturday taking over from Jeff Stelling, Sky SportsSky Sports

Thomas had only revealed on Saturday morning he would miss the long-running show after illness hit his family.

But football fans reckon Barker, 42, presented the busy schedule as if she had been doing it for years.

One observer wrote: “Caroline Barker smashing Soccer Saturday. Such a natural presence on screen.”

Another suggested she “should get this gig permanently. Absolutely terrific today”.

Thomas has had a mixed reception from viewers this season after being asked to do the near-impossible – replace fans’ favourite Jeff Stelling.

But viewers wished him a speedy recovery after he revealed he had to sit out this Saturday at the eleventh hour.

He posted: “Sadly no #soccersaturday for me today – #Covid has hit the Thomas household.

“@carolinebarker is in the hot seat today. Go well CB – you’ll be brilliant. See you next week.”

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

And viewers believe his prediction on Barker was spot-on.

They described her as a “great stand-in presenter” and “class”.

And one viewer wrote: “Feel like Sky may have missed a trick by not giving her the gig when Stelling left.”

It came on the day Liverpool snatched a late draw at champions Manchester City, Arsenal went top with a late winner at Brentford and Brighton’s Lewis Dunk saw red for two yellow cards in 12 seconds.