Football host Jeff Stelling opens up about daughter’s battle with anorexia

FOOTBALL host Jeff Stelling has opened up about his daughter’s battle with anorexia.

He said Olivia, 21, got “skeletal” from the mental health condition and spent months in hospital.

Jeff said he faced the “heartbreaking” sight of girls in wheelchairs with no energy to walk.

In 2023 Jeff, 69, told how “a friend” was struggling, and his comments went viral.

He said Olivia was now happy for him to say it was her, and is doing well as a student.

Dad-of-three Jeff has spoken to Parliament on the issue and said: “The reaction was astonishing.”

He said the numbers who relapse is “horrific”, adding: “If they relapse two, three or four times . . . they say they’re going to provide a pathway, in other words we’re not going to try and save you we’re going to try and help you die.”

Last year Stelling promised go one step further than Gary Lineker if his beloved Hartlepool get to the Championship.

The departed host memorably presented Match of the Day in his PANTS after Leicester won the Prem in 2015-2016.

But that is nothing compared to the lengths talkSPORT host Stelling is prepared to go.

Asked whether he would emulate Lineker: “I would host talkSPORT breakfast without my pants in order for Hartlepool to get into the Championship.

“League Two would be fine, never mind the Championship.”