Andy Gray and Richard Keys land new six-figure radio jobs

FORMER Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys have been signed up by radio station TalkSport to co-host a new show, just weeks after they left the satellite broadcaster in a storm over sexist comments they made off air.

TalkSport programme director Moz Dee described the signing as a "sensational coup" and insisted that both men had been changed by the events of last month.

Gray and Keys are to front a three-hour Monday-Friday show on the commercial talk station, it emerged yesterday.

It is understood that the pair have been hired on six-figure salaries.

Mr Dee said: "The events of the last couple of weeks have been a lesson and have changed them.

"One thing that hasn't changed, however, is that they are two iconic broadcasters who have a wealth of experience in the world of sport and that's what we have to do now - move forward with them as sports broadcasters."

Gray said of his appointment: "I can't tell you how excited I am about joining the TalkSport team. It's an ideal opportunity for Richard and me to do what we do best, and that's talk about sport."

Keys said: "This is the start of something new and exciting for Andy and myself. We are delighted to be joining the TalkSport family and can't wait to get going."

The controversy was sparked by off-air comments made by the pair about assistant referee Sian Massey at a Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool. Other comments were later leaked to the media.

Discussing Ms Massey, Keys said: "Somebody better get down there and explain the offside rule to her."

Gray responded: "I know, can you believe that? A female linesman…"

Further evidence of sexist remarks and behaviour resulted in former Scotland international footballer Gray being sacked, while Keys resigned last month.

Both men have worked with Mr Dee before in sports broadcasting, and Keys used the station to give an interview in the wake of the scandal.

Andrew Jones, a senior lecturer in communication and media at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said it was not surprising that TalkSport had signed the pair.

He said: "The truth is that TalkSport will get a bit of a publicity boost, and the station's listenership has a very male skew.

"So it plays into the stereotypical lads image of the TalkSport listener that the outside world has.

"But to be honest, I don't think they will be the slightest bit concerned about any negative publicity, because the general media furore will just grab more media attention."

He said the station was enjoying strong listener figures but was still overshadowed by the BBC's sports and talk station, Radio 5 Live, and so signings such as Keys and Gray were an opportunity for TalkSport to grab the limelight.Mr Jones added that broadcasting authorities would be paying close attention to what the pair might say in their new roles.