Former BBC presenter Dan Walker reportedly only found out he had lost his role on Football Focus through rumours spreading about his future.
Walker had taken over as the programme's main presenter in 2009, replacing Manish Bhasin. Alongside his role on that staple football show, Walker also joined BBC Breakfast as a main anchor and routinely reported from World Cups, European Championships and Olympics.
But his stint in the Football Focus chair came to an end in the summer of 2021 after 12 years as the main presenter. At the time, Walker revealed it was due to his heavy workload in his other roles, having also become the presenter of The NFL Show.
Now though, his former colleague on Football Focus, Mark Lawrenson, has claimed that Walker only left after rumours began spreading of his impending exit. Lawrenson retired at the end of last season and has now blasted the BBC's handling of his and Walker's exits.
"I just don't get it. I think the premise should be, whatever age you are, colour or whatever, if you can do what you are asked to do, and are very good at the job, then you should still be in the job," he told GB News.
"It is just very very strange. I mean, Dan Walker, I am sure you know Dan, he used to present Football Focus. He found out from basically rumours that he had lost his job at the end of the season.
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"So it is just a strange way that the BBC operate I am afraid. And they seem to be very frightened to give you bad news. It is a very strange thing."
When announcing the decision for him to depart Football Focus back in April 2021, Walker made no illusions to the decision having not been his. Instead, he insisted that after 12 years it was time for someone else to take over.
"Hello, I have some news. This is going to be my last season presenting Football Focus. It's been a real pleasure, an amazing 12 years, and I can honestly say I've loved every single second of it," he said in a Twitter video.
"I'm really proud about the job we've done, the changes that we've made to the show, the issues that we've looked at, and at a time when the football landscape is changing immeasurably.
"But, having said all that, after 12 years it's time for someone else to take the reins. I’m really going to miss the magic of the programme, the opportunities it has given me, the great friends, many friends I’ve made along the way, and the thousands and thousands of conversations I've had with people who thankfully love the show just as much as I do.
"And I'm also really looking forward to letting you know about one or two other exciting opportunities further down the road. I really hope you enjoy the rest of the season and I'll see you soon."
