Stevo gets an MBE

Former Sky Sports commentator Mike Stephenson has been given an MBE for his services to rugby league and broadcasting in the New Year Honours List.

Stephenson retired from the role at the end of the last Super League season.

He told Sky Sports News: “I am deeply honoured and it is a huge shock. I am not the type of person who usually keeps a secret but I did on this occasion.

“They were chasing me because they had sent the letter of nomination to the wrong address and I was actually on a cruise out of Sydney Harbour.

“I couldn’t get too much reception or email [access], so it was a bit of a panic in the end but we got there.

“I am just amazed and I would just like to thank all my former colleagues at Sky Sports for all their help.

“I am very, very pleased.”