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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Phil Tufnell's frank five-word answer to controversial Question of Sport exit
Phil Tufnell was one of three stars that were replaced on A Question of Sport in 2020 along with Sue Barker and Matt Dawson in a controversial shake-up of the show It did not come as a shock to Phil Tufnell when the BBC dropped himself, Sue Barker and Matt Dawson from A Question of Sport in 2020. The 59-year-old cricket icon had been a staple member of the show ever since he was named as a team captain in 2007. After 13 years he, Barker and Dawson were told that they would not be continuing in their role as the Beeb wanted to shake up the format and the personnel of the show. Barker was replaced by Take Me Out presenter Paddy McGuinness, while Tufnell and Dawson made way for Olympian Sam Quek and rugby's Ugo Monye. After the revamped format was put on the shelf in 2023, former Football Focus host Dan Walker took to social media and suggested the BBC had "alienated their core audience while searching for a new one" with their decision-making. Tennis icon Barker, who had presented the show for more than 20 years, has also admitted that she was unhappy with the way in which they were let go by the BBC. While speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show, Tufnell admitted he was not left speechless when the decision was broke to him. He told Wales Online: "You can't do things forever." Tuffers explained: "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. "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.' "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. Obviously, you think to yourself, 'Oh crikey,' but we wished everyone the best. It was part of our lives." In a statement released at that 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." When the show was shelved in 2023, a BBC spokesman hinted at the possibility of its revival by stating the decision was "not the final whistle." Tufnell said he would like to see the show return to the nation's screens, but would not expect a phone call from the BBC if it did. He 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 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?" 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
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Phil Tufnell gives honest five-word response when asked about Question of Sport axe
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.' Article continues below "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?" Article continues below 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.
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC John Virgo's true feelings on Jim Davidson as comedian claims he was 'cancelled'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info BBC snooker pundit John Virgo has shared insights into his bond with comedian Jim Davidson, following Davidson's comments about being 'cancelled'. The pair became an iconic team on television throughout the 90s, co-hosting the hit snooker game show Big Break. With Davidson at the helm and Virgo donning the referee's gloves, the show paired members of the public with professional snooker players in a bid to win prizes, drawing in audiences of nearly 14 million at its peak. As Virgo, who is now 79, was transitioning from professional snooker to a career in broadcasting, he initially doubted the potential success of Big Break. His reservations were quickly dispelled as the show soared in popularity. READ MORE - BBC The One Show guest Sheila Hancock doesn't hold back as she makes 'scathing remark' READ MORE - ITV Amanda Holden sets record straight on 'wild rumour' about ex Les Dennis Speaking to the Daily Express, Virgo reminisced: "All of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson'. "I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him. It was funny because we got there and he didn't know much about snooker.", reports Wales Online. "In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works'. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. "Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18," he exclaimed. "We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable." The programme also marked the beginning of a surprising friendship between Virgo and Davidson, which nobody could have predicted. "It's a funny thing about life. He's your crafty conservative comedian and I'm your dour northern socialist. How do you come up with that? But obviously the chemistry worked," Virgo shared. "Although Jim didn't know much about snooker, what a funny man and a very generous man to work with. We really got on well. Besides, when you're in those positions, the most important thing is that the show works." After the show concluded its run in 2002, the two amigos still shared the spotlight, performing together in pantomime for eight straight years. Nonetheless, since Big Break wrapped up, Davidson has been embroiled in controversies following a slew of contentious remarks and episodes, often incorporating offensive jokes aimed at women, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in his comedy routines. He later insisted that he was unjustly "cancelled" by the BBC, claiming on GB News that he received £1 million from the broadcaster to "go away" after his heyday as a game show host. Virgo has disclosed his viewpoint on these developments, conceding that Davidson's absence from television is "understandable" yet describing it as a "waste of talent". He revealed that although they don't converse often, there's "a warmth that I don't get with many people" when they do meet. "Jim is a comic genius and yet he can't appear on television, because he has a black mark against his name," the commentator shared with The Telegraph. "It's understandable. I just feel it's a waste of a talent."
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
John Virgo makes Jim Davidson feelings clear after Big Break host 'cancelled'
The World Snooker Championship commentator fronted the popular BBC show alongside controversial comedian and presenter Jim Davidson in the 1990s John Virgo has opened up on his friendship with his former Big Break co-host Jim Davidson, after the comedian and presenter's claims that he was 'cancelled'. The duo fronted the supremely-popular snooker-based programme for just over a decade in the 1990s, with Davidson presenting and Virgo starring as a referee. It saw contestants team up with professional players to compete in various snooker-related rounds in order to win prizes. It proved a huge hit with viewing figures reaching almost 14 million at its peak. The show arrived as Virgo, now 79, was starting to wind down his snooker career and move into broadcasting, and he admits that he was sceptical about the show's chances of being successful when he first landed the gig. However, he was soon happily proven wrong. He said: "All of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson'. "I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him. It was funny because we got there and he didn't know much about snooker." Speaking to the Daily Express, Virgo added: "In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works'. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. "Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18!," he added. "We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable." The show was also the start of a close friendship between Virgo and Davidson, as unlikely as it initially seemed. "It's a funny thing about life. He's your crafty Conservative comedian and I'm your dour northern socialist. How do you come up with that? But obviously the chemistry worked," Virgo added. "Although Jim didn't know much about snooker, what a funny man and a very generous man to work with. "We really got on well. Besides, when you're in those positions, the most important thing is that the show works." The pair's friendship continued after the show aired for the final time in 2002, and they did pantomime together for eight years. However, since Big Break ended, Davidson has come under fire for a series of controversial comments and incidents, making numerous offensive jokes about women, racial and ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in his stand-up act. He has gone on to claim he was unfairly "cancelled" by the BBC, alleging on GB News that he was paid £1million by the corporation to "go away" after his success as a presenter. Virgo has since made his feelings clear on the matter, admitting that Davidson no longer being on TV is "understandable" but claiming it is also a "waste of talent". He added that the pair no longer speak regularly, but share "a warmth that I don't get with many people" whenever they cross paths. "Jim is a comic genius and yet he can't appear on television, because he has a black mark against his name. It's understandable. I just feel it's a waste of a talent.'
Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
John Virgo makes feelings clear on Jim Davidson after Big Break star 'cancelled'
John Virgo makes feelings clear on Jim Davidson after Big Break star 'cancelled' The World Snooker Championship commentator fronted the popular BBC show alongside Davidson in the 1990s Davidson and Virgo no longer speak regularly but remain friends (Image: BBC ) BBC snooker commentator John Virgo has opened up on his friendship with his former Big Break co-host Jim Davidson, after the comedian claimed he was 'cancelled'. The unlikely presenting duo fronted the popular snooker-based programme for just over a decade in the 1990s, with Davidson presenting and Virgo starring as a referee. It saw contestants team up with professional players to compete in various snooker-related rounds in order to win prizes, and proved a huge hit with viewing figures peaking at almost 14 million people. It came as Virgo, now 79, was starting to wind down his snooker career and move into broadcasting, and he admits that he was sceptical about the show's chances of being successful when he first landed the gig. However, he was soon happily proven wrong. He told the Daily Express: "All of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with this comedian, Jim Davidson'. "I'd met him once a few years previously, but I didn't really know him. It was funny because we got there and he didn't know much about snooker. "In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works'. Anyway, we did eight [episodes]. We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. Article continues below 'Then I got another phone call and they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18!," he added. "We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable.' The show was also the start of a close friendship between Virgo and Davidson, as unlikely as it initially seemed. "It's a funny thing about life. He's your crafty Conservative comedian and I'm your dour northern socialist. How do you come up with that? But obviously the chemistry worked," Virgo added. 'Although Jim didn't know much about snooker, what a funny man and a very generous man to work with. We really got on well. Besides, when you're in those positions, the most important thing is that the show works.' The pair's friendship continued after the show aired for the final time in 2002, as they did pantomime together for eight years. However, since Big Break ended, Davidson has come under fire for a series of controversial comments and incidents, making numerous offensive jokes about women, racial and ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in his stand-up act. He has gone on to claim he was unfairly "cancelled" by the BBC, alleging on GB News that he was paid £1 million by the corporation to "go away" after his success as a presenter. Virgo has since made his feelings clear on the matter, admitting that Davidson no longer being on TV is "understandable" but claiming it is also a "waste of talent". He added that the pair no longer speak regularly, but share "a warmth that I don't get with many people" whenever they cross paths. Article continues below "Jim is a comic genius and yet he can't appear on television, because he has a black mark against his name," the commentator told The Telegraph. "It's understandable. I just feel it's a waste of a talent.'
