A Question of Sport axed by the BBC after 53-year stint as full statement released

Iconic quiz show A Question of Sport has been axed by the BBC after a 53-year run, with the corporation providing a full statement on its decision.

The BBC have confirmed that the show is not currently in production, citing 'inflation' and A Question of Sport's lack of viewership on iPlayer as two key factors behind the decision.

A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mirror: "Due to inflation and funding challenges difficult decisions have to be made, therefore Question of Sport is not in production at the moment.

"We have to provide value for money to licence fee payers and prioritise high impact content that drives viewers to BBC iPlayer. So, for now, Question of Sport is taking a break and there are no current plans for its return."

The popular quiz show first aired in January 1970, and was initially presented by David Vine with boxer Henry Cooper and rugby union player Cliff Morgan as captains.

The show once attracted 19 million viewers for an episode fronted by David Coleman in 1987, with captains Emlyn Hughes and Bill Beaumont joined by Princess Anne.

Sue Barker took over presenting duties from Coleman in 1997, and spent 24 years on the show.

Ally McCoist, Ian Botham and Beaumont all had lengthy spells as captains, while Matt Dawson (starting in 2004) and Phil Tufnell (starting in 2007) became the two longest-serving captains in the show's history before they were replaced in 2021.

In the same year, Paddy McGuinness took over from Barker on the new-look show, with Sam Quek and Ugo Monye becoming team captains.

In 2014, the show was recognised as the world's longest running sports quiz by Guinness World Records, with Barker receiving a special plaque during a live show to commemorate the achievement.

The show has had plenty of classic moments, such as Dawson and Tufnell being strapped to a bi-plane while answering questions, McCoist failing to identify himself on a picture round, and Paul O'Connell's incredible 'Borussia Monchengladbach' answer that could probably never be beaten.

Topics: Football

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.