Presenters reportedly told not to mention Natalie Sawyer’s Sky Sports News departure

One of Sky Sports News' mainstays has parted ways with the television station.

After spending 18 years with the company, Sawyer completed her final shift on Wednesday and viewers are disappointed that the popular presenter, who had been promoted to one of the faces of Transfer Deadline Day in recent years, would no longer be a part of Sky's sport coverage. The Times reports that Sawyer was made aware that her contract would not be renewed during a meeting earlier this month. The report also claims that presenters were instructed not to mention the 38-year-old's departure on air, despite the fact that other long-time presenters have received heartfelt send-offs in the past. Sawyer has not yet made an official comment but viewers have been quick to wish her the best in the next stage of her career. https://twitter.com/MattHughesTimes/status/979403370812334080 https://twitter.com/PeterMooreSport/status/979406573322817541 https://twitter.com/gompstomp78/status/979404776051003392 https://twitter.com/WeBlah/status/979404468440698883 https://twitter.com/alanlowndes1/status/979403276834795520 https://twitter.com/Addy76Andrew/status/979402222621642757 https://twitter.com/njhelyar/status/979398860429815808 https://twitter.com/JohannRed16/status/979397507653435394 "We’d like to thank Natalie for her many years of great service to Sky Sports and we wish her all the best in the future," a Sky spokesperson told the Sun. Sawyer's now-former colleagues are reportedly upset about the manner with which her departure has been dealt. The reason behind the decision not to renew her contract remains unknown.