Phil Tufnell was a staple on A Query of Sport for over a decade, however the England cricket legend’s time on the BBC present was delivered to an finish in 2020.
Phil Tufnell spent 13 years on A Query of Sport (Picture: PA)
Phil Tufnell sensed change was on the horizon earlier than the BBC axed himself, Sue Barker and Matt Dawson from A Query of Sport in 2020. The 59-year-old joined the enduring sports activities panel present in 2007, the place he was a workforce captain competing in opposition to former England rugby star Dawson.
The beloved trio have been changed by Paddy McGuinness, hockey star Sam Quek and rugby ace Ugo Monye, in what was deemed to be a brand new revamp of the present. Nonetheless, the most recent model was shelved in 2023. On the time, former Soccer Focus presenter Dan Walker advised the shake-up might have labored in opposition to the BBC, saying the Beeb might have “alienated their core viewers whereas looking for a brand new one.” Barker was additionally significantly upset with the choice and has beforehand accused the BBC of going concerning the change within the mistaken approach. Nonetheless, Tufnell, who represented the England cricket workforce on 42 events, admitted he was not fully shocked by his departure.
Harbouring no bitterness in the direction of the choice, Tufnell, whereas talking on the launch of The Overlap and Betfair’s Follow Cricket present, advised Wales On-line: “That they had been speaking about it and what have you ever. I wasn’t actually concerned in it. We might all been doing it for some time. Nicely, greater than some time, round 13 or 14 years I would been captain.
“You may’t do issues eternally. They fancied a little bit of a refresh. We have been simply type of like, ‘Okay, properly, there you go. Thanks very a lot for the reminiscences. I completely loved each single present. Liked each minute of it.’
“Now we’re doing the theatre present. It is not known as A Query of Sport, after all. We’re all good mates, all obtained a really comparable sense of humour. All of us get on very properly, so it is nice to be again recreating it a bit of bit. Clearly, you suppose to your self, ‘Oh crikey,’ however we wished everybody the perfect. It was a part of our lives.”
When the change was confirmed, the BBC mentioned: “We want to thank Sue for her huge contribution because the present’s longest reigning host over the past 24 years, and Matt and Phil for his or her wonderful workforce captaincy over 16 and 12 years respectively. Collectively they’ve ensured A Query of Sport stays a agency favorite with the BBC One viewers. Sue, Matt and Phil’s closing collection will probably be broadcast subsequent yr.”
After it was placed on pause in 2023, a BBC spokesman hinted at a possible future revival, saying it was “not the ultimate whistle” of the panel present. Requested about the opportunity of the present returning, maybe with himself, Dawson and Barker being concerned once more, Tufnell replied: “I hope it does come again.
Tennis information, scores and event outcomes plus chosen presents and competitions Subscribe Invalid electronic mail
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will embrace adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
“It was a part of my childhood. It had been going for 55 years, a very long time. I liked the present after I was on it and I liked it as a boy. It was a kind of little half an hours that you simply sat spherical with your loved ones. Hopefully, it comes again. I would be delighted to sit down down and watch it. Whether or not we do it once more, I am not so certain. However, we have had our time, have not we?”
Betfair are set for an enormous summer season and winter of cricket, launching a brand new present with The Overlap: Follow Cricket. Do not miss the primary episode subsequent week, the place the workforce will probably be reviewing the opening take a look at of the collection between England and India.
Leave a Reply