Dan Walker takes swipe at BBC over brutal axing of legendary show A Question of Sport

DAN Walker has let rip at the BBC after fan-favourite series A Question Of Sport was axed.

The ex BBC Breakfast anchor, 46, told how the series had "alienated their core audience" and the show still had a "winning format in their somewhere."

It came after The Sun reported how the legendary sports show had been axed after 50 years.

Bosses say dwindling ratings and limited iPlayer appeal forced them to blow the whistle on the show, which first aired in 1970.

Dan - who moved from the BBC to Channel 5 News last year - wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Really sad to read the news about Question of Sport.

"One of THE iconic shows. I used to dress up as David Coleman as a kid and pretend to host it and always loved Sue on it too.

"There is definitely still a winning format in there somewhere."

Replying to a fan who suggested A Question Of Sport had prioritised comedy over content, Dan added: "I think they [A Question of Sport] may have alienated their core audience while searching for a new one.

"TV is hard but we make it more difficult sometimes. Have a lovely Christmas big man."

Fans continued to air their views, with one writing: "Should’ve gone years ago. Absolute dross."

A second put: "Have you watch the show lately it’s appalling!! So sad!" as a third remarked: "Nothing lasts forever."

One then concluded: "I actually think it is a bit of a tired format. In its heyday, it was one of the few places you could see sportspeople outside their comfort zone and being 'normal people'.

"Now they are all already very engaged via social media, to the extent QoS looks dry and too broad."

Following a seven year run with the BBC, Dan, started his new gig in 2022.

He took a swipe at his former employer just days before he started - slamming the BBC for its coverage on the death of Prince Philip.

Meanwhile the broadcaster has insisted the A Question Of Sport format is not for sale and say it reserves the right to bring it back in the future.

A BBC spokesperson told : “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.

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.

Ex-Team GB hockey star and Morning Live presenter Sam Quek, and ex-rugby international Ugo Monye replaced captains Dawson and Tufnell.

Yet 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.