SACKED Sky presenter Andy Gray was defended by former Everton colleagues following his shock dismissal in the ongoing sexism row.

The Sky Sports pundit had already been suspended for comments made off-air about female official Sian Massey before last Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Wolves.

And after new evidence emerged yesterday of another off-air incident that took place in December, the broadcaster made the decision to fire Gray for “unacceptable and offensive” behaviour.

But Gray, who has fronted Sky Sports football coverage since 1992, was backed by his former boss Howard Kendall last night.

Kendall, who managed Gray while the pair were at Everton in the 1980s, said: “What speaks volumes about the lad is he has been doing the job so long. You couldn’t not like him, he’s such a bubbly guy.”

Referring to the comments Gray and fellow presenter Richard Keys made about Massey, he said: “It was only like a couple having a banter down the pub. They have always been professional on air and done their job well.”

But he also lent support to Massey, claiming officials should be judged on their performance, not their gender:

Another former colleague, one-time Everton midfielder Peter Reid, expressed his sadness. He said: “I think it is very sad for Andy. The comments he made to Richard were tongue-in-cheek and a joke and you can’t do that nowadays, so it seems.

“Knowing Andy the way I do, it will be a big blow for him because he did enjoy his work. I thought personally, he was excellent at his job. It is a personal blow for him . . . I think it’s unfair.”