FORMER Malvern College student Mark Pougatch is set to become the face of ITV’s sport after he was appointed lead presenter for the national broadcaster.
He has replaced Adrian Chiles, who was axed earlier this year, and will make his debut on Tuesday, February 17, when Chelsea take on Paris St Germain in the UEFA Champions League.
Pougatch, who attended the college between 1981 and 1986, will continue to lead ITV’s coverage of the competition as it reaches its climax this season, as well as the Europa League and England internationals.
Following the appointment he said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining ITV and to be given this great opportunity.
“I am looking forward to working with ITV’s talented pool of commentators and pundits on some of the very best football there is.”
Niall Sloane, director of ITV Sport, added: “Mark is a highly respected sports journalist and an outstanding broadcaster.
“We are delighted to welcome Mark to the ITV Sport team.”
He captained the cricket team at the College Road site and was a ‘prolific’ striker for the football team, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-2 away win against Eton and grabbing one of two goals in a 2-1 win against Manchester Grammar School.
Pougatch had been backed to become the national face of football on television but ITV declined to bid for the rights of Match of the Day, after BBC paid £204million to renew the rights with the popular show.
