Phil Tufnell gives honest five-word response when asked about Question of Sport axe
EXCLUSIVE: Phil Tufnell was a staple figure on British television throughout his time on A Question of Sport up until the day the BBC shook up the show
Phil Tufnell was on A Question of Sport for 13 years
(Image: PA )
Phil Tufnell has admitted that he was not surprised when the BBC decided to part with himself, Sue Barker and Matt Dawson on A Question of Sport.
Tufnell, 59, had been a team captain on the panel show since 2007 until he was let go by the BBC as part of a reshuffle in 2020. The England cricket legend was one of the most recognisable figures on the show, until he made way for Paddy McGuinness, hockey star Sam Quek and rugby ace Ugo Monye.
When the new format of the show was shelved in 2023, ex-BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker suggested the Beeb may have, "alienated their core audience while searching for a new one" when they decided to axe Tufnell and his show mates. Barker was also upset with the way the decision was handled.
Tufnell held no resentment when he was informed about his departure. Speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show, Tufnell looked back on the decision and said: "You can't do things forever."
He added: " They had been talking about it and what have you. I wasn't really involved in it. We'd all been doing it for a while. Well, more than a while, around 13 or 14 years I'd been captain.
"You can't do things forever. They fancied a bit of a refresh. We were just sort of like, 'Okay, well, there you go. Thanks very much for the memories. I thoroughly enjoyed every single show. Loved every minute of it.'
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"Now we're doing the theatre show. It's not called a Question of Sport, of course. We're all good friends, all got a very similar sense of humour. We all get on very well, so it's great to be back recreating it a little bit.
Tufnell had been on the show for 13 years when he was told he would be leaving in 2020
(Image: BBC )
"Obviously, you think to yourself, 'Oh crikey' but we wished everyone the best. It was part of our lives.'
In a statement released at the time, the BBC said: "We would like to thank Sue for her enormous contribution as the show's longest reigning host over the last 24 years, and Matt and Phil for their excellent team captaincy over 16 and 12 years respectively.
"Together they have ensured A Question of Sport remains a firm favourite with the BBC One audience. Sue, Matt and Phil's final series will be broadcast next year."
Tufnell will be a guest on the Stick to Cricket podcast, which launches very soon
(Image: Betfair/Stick to Cricket podcast )
When the show was shelved in 2023, a BBC spokesman appeared to leave the door ajar for a future reboot, claiming the decision was, "not the final whistle." When asked if he thinks the show may return in the future, potentially with himself, Barker and Dawson's involvement, Tufnell added: " I hope it does come back.
"It was part of my childhood. It had been going for 55 years, a long time. I loved the show when I was on it and I loved it as a boy. It was one of those little half an hours that you sat round with your family.
"Hopefully, it comes back. I'd be delighted to sit down and watch it. Whether we do it again, I'm not so sure. But, we've had our time haven't we?"
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Betfair are set for a big summer and winter of cricket, launching a new show with The Overlap: Stick to Cricket. Don't miss the first episode next week, where the team will be reviewing the opening test of the series between England and India.
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