Television personality Jack van Gelder has addressed his forced departure from the SBS6 talkshow De Oranjezomer, according to an interview with Sportnieuws.nl. Van Gelder was dropped from the program in January 2026 following rumors of behind-the-scenes misconduct, marking the first media controversy of the year for the broadcaster.
Jack van Gelder Breaks Silence on SBS6 Departure
Speaking at the premiere of the Videoland series Basta about Marco van Basten, Van Gelder dismissed the rumors of workplace misconduct as “total nonsense,” as reported by Sportnieuws.nl. The former NOS commentator confirmed that tensions arose because the editorial team failed to cover his chosen topics or produce requested video inserts. “Then I got really angry once and eventually I was basically just canceled,” Van Gelder told Sportnieuws.nl.
Comparing the Cancellation to Matthijs van Nieuwkerk
Van Gelder argued that the disciplinary measure taken against him was excessive. According to Sportnieuws.nl, he drew a parallel to Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, who stepped away from television following reports of transgressive behavior behind the scenes of De Wereld Draait Door, but has since secured a new role hosting the SBS game show The Golden Elevators.
“You get a kind of death penalty if you tell someone once that they’re an asshole,” Van Gelder said, as quoted by Sportnieuws.nl. Despite feeling unfairly treated, the 75-year-old noted that the exit has brought him unexpected tranquility, adding that he no longer reads the daily newspapers or worries about public reactions.
Did you know? Jack van Gelder spent decades working as a prominent sports commentator for the NOS before transitioning to entertainment and talkshow roles on commercial television networks like SBS6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jack van Gelder leave De Oranjezomer?
According to Sportnieuws.nl, Van Gelder was removed from the SBS6 program after an angry dispute with the editorial team over unaddressed topics and missing video segments, which led to his departure in January 2026.
Will Jack van Gelder return to television?
Van Gelder stated that he feels content with his current situation at age 75 and enjoys the peace of not following the news daily, though he did not explicitly rule out future projects.
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