Tributes have been paid to a ‘pioneer’ of sports broadcasting after she signed off on 27 years of presenting on Sky Sports News with her final shift on Christmas Day.Clare Tomlinson, 57, was one of the faces of the channel when it launched in 1998 and has been a Sky regular since. One colleague today dubbed her ‘The First Lady of Sky Sports’.She announced her exit on December 25 with a post on set, alongside her partner Carl Rumney. ‘My last shift on Sky!’ Tomlinson wrote. ’27 years later, it’s time to say goodbye.. Merry Christmas!’Her message sparked an influx of well-wishes from colleagues past and present.

Jeff Stelling, who hosted Soccer Saturday for almost 30 years on Sky, wrote: ‘You have been amazing Clare. Was a pleasure working with you/watching you for so long.’ Broadcaster Rob Palmer wrote: ‘The consummate professional The First Lady of Sky Sports.’Current Sky Sports presenter Mark McAdam added: ‘One of the originals and true pioneer…’. While horse racing journalist Mike Cattermole posted: ‘Clare, well done, you have been consistently brilliant!’