'Men never grow up' - sexism row pundit's wife helps out in defence

Published on Thursday 27 January 2011 14:05

The wife of former TV presenter Richard Keys, who resigned over the Sky Sports sexism row, has defended her husband saying men "never grow up".

Keys announced his resignation on Wednesday, following the sacking of Andy Gray the day before.

The football pundits were dropped after they made sexist remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey before the Premier League game between Wolves and Liverpool at the weekend.

Speaking outside the couple's mansion home in Chobham, Surrey, Julia Keys said: "It's really sad. They (Keys and Gray] contributed so much, putting Sky on the map.

"Whether you like them personally or not, professionally there's very few who would knock them.

"I feel the wrong two guys were given the red card.

"It doesn't quite make sense in a way and it's questionable the way it has been handled.

"I think Sky was offside in the way it handled it.

"It's very sad after the career Richard has had that it has come to this but I do not see it as being the end of it."

When asked how she felt about the comments, she added: "With men there are little bits of you that never grow up.

"It's banter from the boys. What other people do not understand is the dynamics that go on in the studio.

"He (Keys] is very aware of the tensions that there are and it not being as relaxed as it would be unless there were playful shenanigans."

Keys said: "I am deeply sorry for my remarks and the offence they have caused; it was wrong and should not have happened. I have thought long and hard and reached the decision that it is time to move on.

"Going forward without Andy would have been almost impossible. I am, and will remain, proud of our work with football at Sky Sports and grateful to the many people who have worked with me. I wish Sky Sports continued success in the future."

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: "It is disappointing that Richard's career at Sky should end in these circumstances.

"However, Richard recognises that his comments at the weekend were unacceptable and we note that he has made a full and public apology.

"We thank him for his time in helping make Sky Sports the success it is today."

Keys' resignation came as Gray apologised for his role in the row, saying he was "devastated by losing the job that I love".

Keys also apologised publicly, telling the talkSport radio station before he resigned: "Our prehistoric banter is not acceptable in a modern world."

He added: "We were wrong. It was wrong. It shouldn't have happened."He said he was shocked by the "firestorm" caused by his comments but said he understood if they led to him also losing his job.

He said he apologised to Ms Massey, on behalf of himself and Gray, on Sunday. "She and I enjoyed some banter together. We left on very good terms."