Sue Barker has said she feels “really disappointed” for the next generation of athletes who will not be able to experience A Question of Sport and urged the BBC to “bring it back”, admitting she is “tempted” to return as a presenter.
The much-loved quiz show was a staple on our TV screens for more than 50 years until the BBC cancelled it last year.
The 68-year-old said hosting the show was “the most fun” she had ever had on television and that it was a unique opportunity for sports stars to show their personalities.
Speaking on the Monday Mile podcast, she said: “It was just the best show… and I’m really disappointed for this next group of athletes who won’t get that experience.”
Asked if she would return to present the show if it resumed, Barker said: “I would be very tempted. I would be tempted to go back to Question of Sport, I would be tempted to go back to Wimbledon, but I know the right decision is no.”
Sue Barker has said she feels “really disappointed” for the next generation of athletes who won’t be able to experience Question of Sport.
Former host of the cancelled contest Sue Barker with team captains Matt Dawson (left) and Phil Tufnell (right)
The show, which first aired in 1968, was hosted by Barker for 24 years until her controversial farewell in 2021, when she was abruptly sacked along with her captains, former rugby player Matt Dawson and cricketer Phil Tufnell. The show’s revamped line-up, featuring Paddy McGuinnes, Sam Quek and Ugo Monye, was a ratings flop.
Barker, a former tennis player and Wimbledon presenter, hopes the BBC (which has not confirmed whether it will “drop” him for good) will revive the show.
She said: “I hope they bring it back because they haven’t said they’re going to throw it away forever. So bring it back and have fun again, it’ll be great.”
The presenter, who began working for the BBC as a tennis presenter in 1993, says many of the show’s fans miss him on the air.
The presenter said: “I think a lot of people miss it. Before, people would come up to me and say, ‘How can I go on Question of Sport?’ And I’d have to say, ‘Look, it’s not my decision, but you’ve got to keep winning, you’ve got to keep trying.'”
The 68-year-old (pictured) said hosting the show was the “most fun” she had had on television and was a unique opportunity for sports stars to show their personalities.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was a guest on Question of Sport in 2013
Sir Bobby Charlton appeared in seven episodes of Question of Sport between 1971 and 1989.
Former Czech-American tennis player Martina Navratilova has appeared on two episodes of Question of Sport
When Princess Anne appeared as a guest in 1987, it achieved its highest audience to date with 19 million people tuning in to watch the Olympic royal on the panel.
Barker said “everyone wants to have a laugh” on the show and that it allowed athletes, men and women, from different backgrounds to meet each other.
She said: ‘Even though it didn’t matter who won or lost, everyone cared, but it was great fun. I remember that job as the most fun I’ve ever had on television. Also, whenever you meet people in sport, when we do our job, it’s always when they’ve won or lost. So emotions are incredibly high or everyone is very sad. Whereas on Question of Sport, you can relax and get to know the real person.’
Previous Question of Sport guests have included Bobby Charlton, Anthony Joshua and Martina Navratilova. When Princess Anne appeared as a guest in 1987, it achieved the highest audience ever, with 19 million people tuning in to watch the Olympian on the panel.
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