Broadcaster and former tennis player Sue Barker has spoken out about how her 24-year hosting of A Question of Sport came to an end. The BBC announced in September 2020 that Barker was stepping down as host, and later confirmed Paddy McGuinness would take over the role.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Barker suggested the corporation wanted her to say she was stepping back because she wanted to, rather than it was part of a BBC strategy to refresh the format. She said: “It is such a shame because, I have to say, that the BBC had told us we were going.
“They wanted to refresh the programme and that is absolutely fine. Everyone has the right to do that. We don’t own the programme.
“I had had 24 amazing years working with the most incredible people. So we knew it was going to happen and it was just the way in which it happened and the way it was handled, and the way the BBC sort of wanted me to say that I was walking away from it.”
As well as Barker being replaced, the BBC said captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell would go and Sam Quek and Ugo Monye would come in. Barker added: “I think we regret the way it was handled. I think if we look back on it we could have handled it better. I think the BBC could have handled it better.”
In July, Barker also announced her retirement from presenting Wimbledon coverage. She had been a part of the BBC's broadcasts of the tournament for 30 years.
