Emma Louise Jones lands huge new job as ITV host major sporting event for first time in 41 years

EMMA LOUISE JONES will front speedway returning to ITV screens on Saturday night. The bubbly star will present the Cab Direct British Championship final live from the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester at 7pm on ITV4 and ITVX. Emma Louise Jones will front ITV’s speedway coverage Credit: Taylor Lanning Speedway has not been on main UK terrestrial channels in over 40 years Credit: Taylor Lanning It’s a return to terrestrial TV for speedway for the first time since 1985 when the sport was a regular feature on ITV’s World of Sport. That comeback for the wild racing action has been helped by Harry Redknapp’s backing for the sport, first revealed by SunSport exclusively in September last year. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Top British star Robert Lambert will be bidding to retain his British crown up against the likes of former champions Chris Harris, Adam Ellis, Danny King and Charles Wright. Last year’s final in Manchester was one of the best races in the history of the sport with an incredible 17 PASSES in just one minute of frenetic action. Harris promises that it will get argy bargy again on Saturday night. He said: “If you want to win the British Championship you know it’s going to get tough. To win that final you have to get your elbows out. “Last year was an awesome four laps. I was leading it going into the last lap so I was gutted not to get it done. “Robert Lambert will be the favourite to win it. But when it gets down to the final, anything can happen. Last year proved that. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Jones also fronts up coverage of football, rugby league and horse racing Credit: Taylor Lanning “I’ll give it everything I’ve got to win a fourth British title. People know I’ll bounce off the fence if I have to do what is needed. It should be an epic night. “I’m delighted it’s back on ITV. I’ve had some big moments on TV over the past 15 years. I want to create more history.” The UK’s leading taxi supplier, Cab Direct, have been title sponsors of the Championship league since 2023, and they will now put their name to one of the sport’s major events for the first time. Peter Facenna, Managing Director of Cab Direct, said: “We’ve been proud supporters of British Speedway for several years through our sponsorship of the Cab Direct Championship, so it’s fantastic to see the British Final return to free-to-air television. “ITV coverage will help showcase the speed, skill and excitement of the sport to a wider audience and inspire a new generation of fans. “Speedway has deep roots in communities across the UK, and we’re proud to support an event that celebrates the very best of British Speedway.” Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “I’m delighted we can once again bring speedway to free-to-air television, and especially for such a big event as the British Final. “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this all together, and especially Cab Direct for coming on board as title sponsors. “We plan to make the event a real spectacle, and that will be the case for everyone attending on the night as well as those watching on ITV. “We know we can expect a night of top-class racing with so much at stake for the riders on a superb circuit which always produces thrilling action. “Even by Belle Vue’s standards the Final last year was extraordinary, but we hope this year’s event will be just as memorable, and to have it on free-to-air television with ITV is fantastic news for the sport.” Live coverage from Belle Vue on Saturday August 15 will get underway at 7pm with the opening race at 7.15pm. Comment now