Sky Sports Can Ruin Your Social Life

Sky Sports can ruin your social life. Well maybe that's a bit harsh, but I bet if you're a rugby league fan they've tinkered with yours before. This probably extends to many sports, but RL is my area of expertise.

I got a notification via Twitter earlier that Leeds Rhinos kick off time against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop has been moved back to 5pm. They did the same last year, but with less notice. We had already accepted a wedding invitation for that night. I ended up going with my baby and my mum and dad. Saddo! People kept asking where my husband was. I bet those who didn't were thinking they'd been right all along and our marriage had met with an untimely end. Only joking. We are, of course, a match made in heaven for all to see.

But the worst case of this last minute fixture changing for the Sky cameras came in 2006.

It was announced with four days to go that one of the biggest games of the season against St Helens, due to be played on Friday, 8th September, was to be put back to the day after for Sky TV scheduling. Nightmare! Four or five of the players and staff had hard-to-come-by tickets to see Robbie Williams at Roundhay Park, Leeds on Saturday. I was one of the persons affected and I bet there were loads of supporters in the same boat. We spent the next couple of days stuck to eBay buying and selling and crossing our fingers that we could get new, genuine tickets in time. I think I sold my Friday ones to Disko's wife and Francis Cummins was one of the others affected.

It all worked out in the end. Robbie was fantabulous and so were Orson and Basement Jaxx in support. I think the weather was better on the Friday too so I probably should be thanking Eddie and Stevo (who obviously make all the big executive scheduling decisions).

At the end of the day though, we know that Sky gives the game great coverage and promotion, and we're quick to whinge if we've not been on for a while. But next time a corker of a match gets put on Sky at the last minute, as you settle down with your pizza and your can of Bulmers Pear ready to enjoy, spare a thought for the poor season ticket holder who was meant to be on his best mates stag and the girl who booked Gaga six months ago!

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