Kirsty Gallacher has opened up about a horrific unprovoked attack in London where she was “kicked like a football”. The former Sky Sports News presenter was on his way to his car when the incident occurred. “Last night I was physically assaulted on the street in central London while walking from work to my car. This is my nightly walk,” the 49-year-old said on social media. “The street was well lit and there were people around.
“I was walking down the sidewalk and I noticed this guy, all in black, covered, actually walking towards me. And I’m always on guard, and he just walked towards me, so I moved out of the way. He moved and then he walked past me. He turned around and kicked me like he was kicking a soccer ball. He kicked me in the middle of the street at about 7 o’clock last night, in front of people, and when I turned around he scratched me.
“I’m still in shock and I still have the bruises that show that I was scared. I just can’t believe what happened. I wasn’t being provocative in any way. I was doing my job, just like you. I was just walking to my car to go home to my family.”
“Luckily there were some witnesses and some pretty girls saw it and came to help.
“There was a security guard at a nearby door who was completely unhelpful and didn’t do anything. It was so disappointing. I was just there and I couldn’t actually believe that someone I didn’t know had somehow decided that I had a problem with women or was just an opportunist.
“He decided he didn’t like me and just thought, come on, give me the boot. And it’s not okay, it’s not okay, it’s not okay.”
Gallasher began his broadcasting career with Sky Sports in the late 90s and returned in 2011 as a presenter on Sky Sports News.
Her second spell lasted seven years until she retired in 2018.
Her father, Bernard, is a competitive professional golfer and presenter on various networks including ITV and Channel 4.
She directed the reboot of Gladiators in 2008, most recently appeared on GB News, has taken on a number of radio gigs and currently hosts Gold Radio’s Drivetime show, which airs weekdays from 4pm to 7pm.
Since Ms Gallasher revealed her ordeal, she has been flooded with messages of support.
Former Sky Sports regular Bianca Westwood wrote: “So sorry. So horrifying. Sending love.” F1 presenter Rachel Brooks responded: “So sorry to hear about Kirsty. I hope she’s doing well.”
A message from tennis broadcaster Annabel Croft said: “Kirsty, I’m so sorry. It’s so traumatic and shocking. I hope you’re all well.”
TV and radio broadcaster Jenny Falconer posted in reply: “Kirsty, this is awful.” “I’m so sorry this happened. But it’s not okay. Much love to you.”
“Kirsty, I’m so sorry to hear about this. Sending you lots of love and support,” The Morning host Ben Shepherd wrote. Another TV presenter, Kate Garraway, responded: “This is terrible, I’m so sorry. It takes a lot of courage to share such an important message, but I hope you’re okay.”
