BBC

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      BBC axes legendary sports show on screen for 50 years – just 3 years after Sue Barker dropped as presenter

      by

      LEGENDARY BBC panel show A Question of Sport has been axed after more than 50 years.Bosses say dwindling ratings and limited iPlayer appeal forced them to blow the whistle on the show, which first aired in 1970.
      BBC panel show A Question of Sport has been axed after more than 50 years, Sue Barker presented the show alongside Matt Dawson (L) and Phil Tufnell (R)Credit: PA
      The Beeb insists it is not for sale and say it reserves the right to bring it back in the future.
      A BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: “Due to inflation and funding challenges difficult decisions have to be made, therefore Question of Sport is currently not in production at the moment.”
      For 24 years the show was hosted by former Wimbledon tennis star Sue Barker.
      Famous team captains included ex-England rugby legend Matt Dawson, former cricketer Phil Tufnell and ex-Scots footballer Ally McCoist.
      Read More on this story
      Ian Botham and jockey Frankie Dettori also starred as captains on the show, which broadcast 1,365 episodes between 1970 and 2021.
      Its heyday came in the 1980s and it broke records in 1987 when over 19 million tuned in to watch Princess Anne taking part.
      Under Barker, the quiz show achieved an average four to five million viewers every episode.
      But in September 2020, it was announced Barker, then 66, would be replaced as host by Paddy McGuinness.
      Most read in Football
      Ex-Team GB hockey star and Morning Live presenter Sam Quek, and ex-rugby international Ugo Monye replaced captains Dawson and Tufnell.
      But Barker’s departure was mired in controversy after she claimed bosses forced her to put her name to a statement which said she left on her own accord.
      Speaking to BBC Breakfast last year, the presenter described the corporation’s handling of her departure as “insulting”.
      She added: “I would never walk away from a job I love. I don’t mind being replaced. Absolutely fine.
      “They wanted to refresh the programme and that is absolutely fine.
      “I was asked to announce I was leaving for the good of the show. I was astounded.
      “Was that because I was too old or not good enough? Either way, it was insulting. Did they expect me to sack myself?
      “Naively, I’d expected more after 24 years. Why had we been shown so little respect?”
      The re-brand proved a death knell to viewing figures, slumping to a record low of 730,000 on August 19 last year.
      More tuned in to watch Channel 5’s Britain’s Poshest Farm Shops that night.
      Read more on The Sun
      On Friday, insiders told the Mirror that presenters and captains had been informed of the show’s fate and were “gutted”.
      It is a particular blow for McGuinness, 50, who recently lost his presenting role on Top Gear after programme makers scrapped the motoring show he’d presented since 2018. More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      FA Cup star TWERKS live on BBC Two after shock win as fans say ‘hang it in the Louvre’

      by

      AN ALDERSHOT TOWN player shocked fans after getting on all fours and TWERKING following his side’s shock FA Cup victory over Stockport.Aldershot currently compete in the National League and managed to mastermind a 1-0 victory over Stockport – who are currently top of League Two.
      Theo Widdrington twerked live on BBC Two to celebrate Aldershot’s winCredit: BBC

      Oliver Scott was the hero on the night – scoring an 88th minute winner to send Aldershot through.
      Aldershot had earned a replay by holding Stockport to a 2-2 draw on December 3.
      The unlikely win sparked scenes of wild celebration but one player in particular grabbed the attention of fans and TV viewers alike.
      Shots midfielder Theo Widdrington dropped to all fours and twerked in front of the BBC Two cameras.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Fans online loved Widdrington’s moves.
      One fan posted on X: “Theo Widdrington twerking on the BBC is well worth paying the TV license fee for!”
      Another wrote: “I love them, get them back in the EFL!”
      While a third posted: “Hang it in the Louvre!”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      Widdrington shares his penchant for moves with his brother, Kai, who competes on Strictly come dancing.
      Their father, Tommy, is a former professional footballer and current manager of Aldershot Town.
      Aldershot will be hoping to claim another FA Cup scalp when they travel to Championship West Brom in January.
      Widdrington joined Aldershot this summerCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Alex Scott hailed for live TV coverage of FA Cup with even Tottenham fans loving ex-Arsenal star

      by

      ALEX SCOTT has been hailed for her live TV coverage of the FA Cup.The presenter worked on Stockport’s defeat to Aldershot live from Edgeley Park.
      Alex Scott earned praise for her presenting of an FA Cup clash between Stockport and AldershortCredit: BBC
      The BBC star tucked into Christmas dinner in a cupCredit: Instagram @alexscott2
      Scott won a lot of plaudits for her handling of Joey Barton’s criticismCredit: BBC
      She won a lot of praise for her style with one fan comparing her to other legendary female presenters like Clare Balding.
      A viewer said: “@AlexScott ok all-time favourite women presenters. Hazel Irvine best for snooker. Clare Balding best for horse racing, Kirsty Gallacher is my crush for football but you will beat all of them.
      “Keep up the good work, you are top notch. And I’m a Spurs supporter…”
      Another added: “Anybody with any sense knows how brilliant @AlexScott is at her job. The things she has done for football and the industry should be applauded.
      READ MORE ON ALEX SCOTT
      “She continues to push the game forward and always stands up for what is right. I can’t think of many better role models within the game.”
      A third wrote: “She’s brilliant, an absolute natural.”
      Last weekend Scott was praised for her “total class” as she indirectly replied to Joey Barton’s tirade about female pundits.
      Scott, 39, who had said she “doesn’t want to give Barton oxygen”, took aim with a passionate message on live TV.
      Most read in FA Cup
      The former Lioness and Arsenal star said during the BBC’s coverage of the WSL on Sunday: “To all of the women in football.
      “In front of the camera and behind it, to the players and everyone that attends games.
      “Keep being the role models that you continue to be to all those young girls that are told no you can’t.
      “Football is a better place with us all in it.”
      Scott braved the cold at Stockport and shared a video of her tucking into a Hatters speciality – Christmas dinner in a cup. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Leah Williamson says ‘I want to punch you in the face’ as reporter teases her about daunting on-stage appearance

      by

      LEAH WILLIAMSON fired back at a reporter with “I want to punch you in the face” after they joked about her daunting on-stage appearance.While healing from a torn ACL she has suffered since earlier this year, the Lioness has taken on a huge new task – learning to play the piano.
      Leah Williamson has taken up learning the piano during her injuryCredit: Getty
      Williamson said ‘I want to punch you in the face’ to the BBC reporter who teased her on-stage performanceCredit: YOUTUBE @BBCSPORT
      The Euro 2022 winner performed with the BBC orchestra at Maida Vale studiosCredit: YOUTUBE @BBCSPORT
      The defender has been out since April with an ACL injuryCredit: Alamy
      Back in April, a ruptured ACL robbed Williamson of the chance to lead her country out at the World Cup.
      The 26-year-old has returned to training in the hope to return to play with her Arsenal side in the new year to spearhead the Gunners’ title challenge in the WSL.
      In the meantime, she has occupied her time by taking up a new hobby.
      After learning the piano in only six weeks, the defender had to face her ultimate test – playing her chosen song with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
      READ MORE LIONESSES NEWS
      As she prepared to take the stage, the BBC reporter joked with her about how she would compare to the famous faces who had graced the studio before.
      Williamson who was quick to respond jokingly said: “I want to punch you. That’s what I want to do right now, I’m nervous. I’m very very nervous.
      “Genuinely I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous in my life. Even the Euros final did not touch how I just felt in that room.”
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      The Euro 2022 winner followed the footsteps of music greats such as The Beatles, George Michael and Stormzy at the West London studio.
      Most read in Football
      She performed “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain with the BBC Orchestra.
      Williamson captained the Lionesses to Euros glory in 2022 as well as Arsenal on various occasions.
      The defender has won the League, the FA Cup and the League Cup twice with the Gunners reaching 200 appearances with the North London club last December.
      But since she has been sidelined the Lioness has admitted her life has not been the same.
      She added: “My life has turned from having the best job in the world to having to go and do something every single day that I don’t want to do.” More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      BBC bosses ‘are talking to Gary Lineker’ after Match of the Day host slammed Rwanda plan in ANOTHER Twitter storm

      by

      BBC bosses are said to be talking to Gary Lineker after the Match of the Day host was slammed for blasting the Government’s Rwanda plan.The TV host, 63, found himself at the centre of yet another Twitter storm after urging ministers to scrap their Rwanda scheme and come up with a “fair new plan for refugees”.
      BBC bosses are said to be talking to Gary Lineker about his recent tweetsCredit: PA
      The TV pundit called out the government and Grant Shapps for the Rwanda schemeCredit: PA
      In a letter which is campaigning for change, Together With Refugees branded Britain’s refugee system “ever-more uncaring, chaotic and costly”, and said asylum policies are not working.
      And Lineker landed himself in hot water after co-signing a letter with other celebs, calling for the scheme to be thrown out.
      Now, BBC bosses are “talking to Lineker” about his posts, the Times reports.
      The former England star turned pundit said about the letter: “We need a new system that reflects the will of the British people who have opened their homes, donated and volunteered in their local communities.
      read more on gary lineker
      “That’s why I’m backing this new campaign, because fair really can begin here.”
      The Beeb are now said to be discussing whether their updated social media guidelines, which came into play in September, are tight enough after Lineker is accused of ridiculing cabinet minister Grant Shapps and Conservative backbenchers.
      Talks between bosses and Lineker about his tweets are reportedly set to take place.
      A BBC spokesman said: “We aren’t going to comment on individuals or indeed individual tweets.
      Most read in Football
      “While the guidance does allow people to talk about issues that matter to them, it is also clear that individuals should be civil and not call into question anyone’s character.
      “We discuss issues that arise with presenters as necessary.”
      Lineker previously sparked an impartiality row in March after saying the Government rhetoric on immigration was similar to that of 1930s’ Germany.
      But after a review, BBC bosses decided to allow its top stars to share their own views on social media and only ruled they should stop short of political campaigning.
      Grant Shapps said on Monday morning that Lineker should stick to presenting football.
      When asked if the Match of the Day host should continue expressing political views, Defence Secretary Mr Shapps told Times Radio: “He’s been through all of this before.
      “The BBC have told him he shouldn’t do this type of thing but still it continues.
      “The point I would make to Mr Lineker is: what is right or moral about having people trafficked dangerously across the English Channel, losing their lives at sea, illegally entering the country?
      “That is not a civilised, morally correct thing to do.”
      He added: “I just fundamentally disagree with him. What happens to him next is up to the BBC.
      “As far as I see it, they have issued previous warnings to him, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do and say at this point.
      “I know millions of people watch him for his football commentary and TV presenting, I would have thought it’s better to stick with that.”
      Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson told the Daily Mail: “For once in his life, Gary’s absolutely right – we do need a system that reflects the will of the British people. What the people want is to stop the boats and to tell overpaid crisp salesmen to put a sock in it.
      “Alongside cracking down on illegal migration, we need another robust system which keeps Lineker as far away from the public as possible, to give us all a rest from his Left-wing, out-of-touch nonsense.”
      The Beeb row comes as the Prime Minister is trying to convince his own backbenchers to support his Rwanda Bill, with both the right of the party and the One Nation faction set to announce whether they support it later on today.
      Read more on The Sun
      The Bill seeks to declare Rwanda a safe country and also empowers ministers to ignore parts of the Human Rights Act.
      Mr Shapps told Sky News Home Office modelling suggests that of the current cases which are challenged successfully, “99.5% of them would not be challenged once this is in place”. More

    • 163 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League’s four-year £6.7billion TV deal is testimony to the world’s greatest game

      by

      THE Premier League’s four-year £6.7billion TV deal is testimony to the world’s greatest game.Sky and TNT have already proved that they can provide football programmes of the highest quality, with no expense spared.
      The Premier League has signed a four-year TV deal worth £6.7bnCredit: Reuters
      Although BBC and ITV produce very watchable programmes, they don’t have the reserves to challenge the contract winners for the four seasons starting from 2025-26.
      Yes, it is a lot of money, too. And a good slice of that will find its way through the football pyramid, as well as to many good causes.
      There will be grumbles about the amount, of course there will.Mostly from those who are green with envy.
      I suspect they are not jealous of what we have but more of what they can’t have.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But those moans won’t come from the EFL as they are expecting to have a share of the money by tapping into the goodwill of the Premier League, this despite the fact that most will never play in the Prem — or contribute to it.
      But there’s no doubt that all the EFL’s interlocked divisions are very important to our game, not even mega-rich sheikhs or US billionaires are altogether ignorant of this — although it might be regarded as well below the status of a fourth wife or a racecourse stable.
      I suspect a shortly-to-be-appointed football regulator will be anxious to make a mark on the divvy-out of television earnings, otherwise known as a tax.
      To do this though, they will need some very ­specific primary legislation to take away a ­commercial organisation’s cash to give it to a competitor, otherwise known as nationalisation.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      The regulator may cough and splutter all it likes but it has got to be aware that over-interference by such Government appointments has dangers in a similar way that welcomes to VAR have turned to hatred of delays and ridiculous rulings by people who think they see better but don’t.
      The new deal will help withstand the sweet talk of those barons of foreign clubs who, well aware of the success of the Premier League, tried and went much too close to forming a closed European Super League with six of our best.
      Some on the Continent still dream of potential supremacy, rather in the way of a fascist or communist government in waiting.
      The Premier League steams ahead, a massively successful organisation whose enterprise shames too many others in this country.
      No wonder that big businessmen want to butt in — Americans, Chinese, Arab States, even one or two Englishmen.
      And the world watches, too. The league has the biggest viewing figures of them all, and a number of different TV contracts abroad.
      Have no doubts, Fifa and Uefa see it as serious competition, which is why they simply love the idea of a UK regulator as they hope that will make the Prem less investable, less competitive and less agile.
      Let’s hope they are wrong.
      The Premier League is multi-nationalCredit: Getty
      English football has been dragged into multi-national eminence in the 30 years since the PL was founded.
      Dozens of countries are represented in teams to the extent that when, for instance, two South Koreans feature among the leading scorers — Son Heung-min of Tottenham and Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan —  no one here makes a point of it.
      It happens, full stop, new paragraph.
      Our clubs will stay top of the world’s watch list and continue to be a major industry, currently employing 94,000 people. That must not make the league a cash cow.
      Indeed, I have one or two reservations, in particular, that the increase from our current agreement is under the rate of inflation — and with 13 or 14 Premier League clubs all making a loss at the moment, I apologise if we are a  little slow in cracking open the champagne.
      This should be underlined by the fact that, quite simply, players’ contracts seem to be increasing at the same rate of inflation in Venezuela, some 360 per cent!
      Which is why the net debt of Prem clubs amounts to £2.67bn.Dust-dry information perhaps, but a worry in boardrooms.
      Still, as Hammers vice-chairman, I am proud that the league contributes £7.6bn to the wider UK economy.
      Read more on The Sun
      And volumes to audiences everywhere.
      It has to be one of the UK greatest exports — let’s hope it stays that way. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s FA Cup clash with Wigan will be 86th televised match of their last 87 in all cup competitions

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED’S FA Cup clash with Wigan will be broadcast on BBC One.That means the Red Devils will have featured on TV in 86 out of 87 cup clashes, dating back to 2005.
      Manchester United travel to Wigan on January 8Credit: EPA
      The only match not to be televised was an FA Cup third round clash against Derby in January 2018, which United won 2-0.
      Prior to that every single one of United’s FA Cup and League Cup matches were aired, dating back to a 0-0 draw with Exexter in 2005.
      That means every stage of last year’s Carabao Cup success was shown live on air.
      Erik ten Hag also led his side to the FA Cup final where they lost to rivals Manchester City.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      The Dutchman will be confident he can overcome League One side Wigan, who won the FA Cup in 2023.
      However his side have not fared very well in cup competitions this season having been beaten 3-0 in the Carabao Cup by Newcastle.
      United are also on the brink of Champions League elimination and need to beat Bayern Munich to have hope of qualifying from their group.
      The Red Devils’ meeting with Wigan will be the last match of the third round weekend to be broadcast.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Crystal Palace vs Everton will be shown on Thursday with Tottenham’s clash against Burnley airing a day later.
      Saturday TV sees Newcastle travel to Sunderland for a Tyne-Wear derby before two Prem titans battle it out on Sunday – Liverpool and Arsenal. More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Voice of football John Motson leaves huge six-figure sum in his will

      by

      VOICE of football John Motson left more than £488,000 when he died earlier this year.The commentator, known as Motty, made an eight-page will in 2005 giving his estate to wife Anne, his son, Frederick, and sister-in-law Susan Fielding.
      Voice of football John Motson left more than £488,000 when he died earlier this yearCredit: PA
      It is not clear how much each will receive.
      Motty, famed for his sheepskin coat and his unmatched knowledge of statistics, which Anne helped him to compile, died aged 77 in February.
      He was behind the BBC mic for more than 2,000 games, including 29 FA Cup finals and ten World Cup tournaments.
      He retired from the corporation in 2018 but joined TalkSport radio shortly afterwards.
      READ MORE ON JOHN MOTSON
      After his death, tributes poured in from across the globe with Piers Morgan hailing as the G.O.A.T – the greatest of all time.
      Match of the Day host Gary Lineker called him “brilliant” and “the voice of football in this country for generations”.
      Ex-England star Alan Shearer wrote: “RIP Motty. An incredible career. The voice.”
      Prince William added: “Very sad to hear about the passing of John Motson – a legend whose voice was football. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
      Most read in Football More