Latest news with #ex-BBC
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.
Daily Record
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Meghan Markle's 'vulgar' move would leave King Charles 'horrified', claims expert
Meghan Markle stunned the world by sharing a video of her in a hospital room before giving birth to her daughter. A royal commentator has described Meghan Markle's decision to share a video of her twerking in an effort to induce labour as "utterly bizarre", which would likely leave King Charles "horrified". The Duchess of Sussex surprised fans and the press by uploading the footage on Lilibet's fourth birthday, where she danced vibrantly in a maternity ward with Prince Harry by her side. Meghan is seen in the video energetically twerking to Starrkeisha's Baby Momma Anthem, hitching her skirt above the knees, lifting her arms and shuffling low, hands placed firmly on her waist, legs moving rhythmically. Posting the video, Meghan reflected: "Four years ago today, this also happened," adding that after other methods such as eating spicy food, walking extensively, and trying acupuncture failed, dancing seemed like the next option. "Both of our children were a week past their due dates... so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work – there was only one thing left to do!" she penned. Jennie Bond, ex-BBC Royal correspondent, gave her take on the surprising clip, telling the Mirror that those moments are typically highly private for any couple. Emphasising the significance of personal choice during childbirth, Bond stated: "The hours before you give birth are some of the most personal, intimate and private in the lives of any couple. "Women are perfectly entitled to do whatever they feel like to get through the waiting, and the pain. Giving birth is a serious business, and anything to lighten the mood is welcome. "However, to share those scenes with the world is utterly bizarre and, in my view, takes away all the magic of the moment. I cannot imagine why she chose to release it. "Maybe show it one day to your nearest and dearest- but to anyone and everyone who wants to click on it? "I can hear the voice of the late Queen's former private secretary, Lord Charteris, repeating the comments he once made about Fergie: 'Vulgar, vulgar, vulgar'." She went on: "If the King has watched it, which I doubt, though he can't have missed the headlines I'm sure he would be horrified. Royalty has to carry with it some measure of dignity. "I'm glad they were so happy before the birth, I'm glad Harry was there to support his wife in every way, I'm delighted to hear that he's such a great dad. But they really can't have it both ways. "They can't demand privacy and be so coy about sharing images of their children and then show us all these intensely intimate scenes. "And she cannot expect to be treated as if she's royal whilst behaving like a click-hungry social media influencer." Jennie admitted, though, that such videos will "connect in a very real way to young people". "Perhaps that's what Meghan is trying to do," she reasoned. "My own daughter thought the video humanised both Meghan and Harry and was light-hearted and hugely relatable. "It reminded her of her own pregnancies and labour and she thought it was rather charming. "In many ways, I agree with her. I just don't think it sits happily with trying to cling to the vestiges of being ' royal '." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George
'MY MATE' I was looking at Eric Bristow's flat when he died and his demise hit me hard, says ex-BBC darts host Bobby George Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOBBY GEORGE says the sudden death of long-time drinking and darts pal Eric Bristow seven years ago 'hit me hard'. And his new book details the duo's many escapades. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Darts great Eric Bristow passed away seven years ago Credit: REX 4 The former world champion passed away aged 60 Credit: GETTY 4 Long-time pal Bobby George has opened up on the passing of the beloved Bristow Credit: GETTY They first met in the 1970s and became oche rivals — they contested the 1980 World Darts Championship final — but also 'very good friends'. According to George, the five-time world champion would be 'good as gold until about 10 or 10.30pm — then he'd become a complete a***hole once he had drunk too much'. The King of Bling, claimed Hackney-born Bristow would be 'rude, arrogant, leery and happy to pick a fight with anyone . . . I didn't like him when he was like that, no one did'. Yet the Crafty Cockney never wavered in his strong loyalty towards George, 11 years the senior man, whom he called Bo. Bristow — one of the sport's greatest throwers — died on April 5, 2018 from a heart attack before a Premier League event in Liverpool. He was 60. Writing in Still Here! The King of Bling, George, 79, said: 'Eric Bristow's death hit me hard. 'He was only 60 for f***'s sake. That's no age these days, is it? I had known him since he was a teenager — and he never changed. 'He could be a pain in the a*** and we had some right ding-dongs over the years. List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler 'But for most of the time, he was my mate and we had some great times together.' On the night Bristow died, George was on Merseyside, working at Shooters Bar and Diner. The pair had 'a little catch-up and I got him a Guinness'. 'One of the best things I've ever seen' - Frank Lampard stunned as Coventry star hits 180 with first-ever three darts That night, George stayed in a Stoke pub run by Barry Birch, Bristow's former driver. And he was even looking at 'Eric's flat' less than 200 yards away when he learned the tragic news. George said: 'I couldn't believe the suddenness of his passing. 'Nor could I take in the fact that I could see his flat — the same flat he'd have left just a few hours earlier — as I was trying to take in the tragic news. 'What were the odds of it? Me being with him, saying goodbye, going to Stoke and looking out of a window at his flat whilst stood alongside his former driver? 'We both needed a stiff drink that night. They reckon Eric's heart must have stopped before he hit the ground as there was no blood. 'In his diary, apparently, he'd written he had got bad chest pains. "Bloody hell, if that was the case, why didn't he go to the doctors or hospital and get it sorted? 'Knowing Eric, he probably thought, 'I'll put loads of Guinness down my neck, that'll get rid of the pain'. 'Anyone who knew him was aware that he didn't exactly lead a healthy lifestyle. I had known him since he was a teenager — and he never changed." Bobby George on Eric Bristow 'For as long as I'd known him, he was a heavy smoker, always rolling his own. 'And he would think nothing of getting through 15 or 16 pints of Guinness in a day, rounding it all off with a curry. Nobody's body can handle that day in, day out. 'Always on the go, working and travelling, meant he was always pushing it. "Although it wasn't work to him, just a chance to get on the p*** every day. 'I like a drink and a smoke but there are extremes and Eric pushed them to the limit. 'I'd say, 'You smoke and you drink too much'. He said, 'I know all about that, Bob. But put it this way, no one is going to be pushing me around in a wheelchair. When I go, I'll go like that. Bang'. And he f***ing did as well, bang.' George first encountered the 'mouthy so-and-so' while playing in a BDO event at Margate in Kent. 4 Bobby George knew the late Eric Bristow when he was a teenager Credit: GETTY He said: 'After that we became good mates and he would do anything for me, anything.' As they toured the country, they 'would share prize money', but there were times when George thought 'we're going to get our heads kicked in' due to Bristow's OTT antics. On a US tour in 1978, the first time George went on a plane, Bristow enraged locals by pretending 'to wipe his a***' with the American Stars and Stripes flag 'before chucking it on the floor'. George said: 'The atmosphere had turned really toxic and I was worried that someone was going to do something really stupid, like pull a gun out on him. ''Watch yourself, Eric,' I whispered in his ear. 'These guys aren't messing about and they have guns over here!' 'I'd like to say that was an isolated incident but it wasn't. 'That's how he was, always getting into trouble. But somehow always managing to get himself out of it.' Still Here! The King of Bling, published by Pitch Publishing, is out now, £25.
Edinburgh Live
02-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Princess Charlotte 'marked end of centuries-old tradition' that Princess Anne suffered
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 A "centuries-old" royal tradition that once affected Princess Anne's place in the line of succession was finally overturned with Princess Charlotte, thanks to a pivotal Act of Parliament. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, her eldest son Charles immediately ascended to the throne. His firstborn, William, stepped up as the next in line, with his offspring, Prince George, as his heir. This marked the first occasion in nearly a century that Britain saw both a male sovereign and his male heir. Historically, under a 1701 law, the throne would pass to the eldest male, sidelining any older sisters (a practice known as male primogeniture), but this outdated rule was rewritten in recent years, reports Gloucestershire Live. But with the introduction of the Succession to the Crown Act in 2013, the outdated "centuries-old, men-first tradition" was abolished. It ensured that Princess Charlotte wouldn't be bumped down the succession line by her younger brother, unlike Princess Anne who ranks below her younger brothers. (Image: undefined via Getty Images) Wesley Kerr OBE, an ex-BBC Royal correspondent, told Channel 5's Secrets of the Royal Traditions: "So, whereas Princess Anne, who's the second child of Elizabeth, is below all three of her brothers in the line of succession, Charlotte did not go down a place when Louis was born. "There's absolute equality between boys and girls. So, had Charlotte been the eldest, she would be the next monarch - a well-needed piece of modernisation." Royal historian Gareth Russell added that Queen Elizabeth believed there should be "no reason" why a female couldn't ascend to the throne, whilst BBC's Jennie Bond expressed that this alteration champions the cause for "striking out for the modern woman". Charlotte, who is the middle child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, follows her older brother Prince George and is followed by the youngest, Prince Louis. (Image: Getty Images) In recently celebrating her 10th birthday, a new image of Charlotte was released by her parents from her time in Cumbria. The royals' social media accounts featured this photograph with the caption: "Happy 10th Birthday Princess Charlotte." As reported by Sky News, William and Kate habitually engage their followers by sharing personal photos of their children, often captured by the Duchess herself. Following this, just over a week ago, another photo surfaced online—this time featuring young Prince Louis. This latest snapshot was taken by Josh Shinner and posted in celebration of the prince turning seven years old.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dan Walker makes feelings clear on Gary Lineker's MOTD exit after BBC row
After Gary Lineker finally bid farewell to Match of the Day, ex-BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker offered his honest thoughts on his former colleague's departure Former BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker truly believes Match of the Day"won't be the same" without Gary Lineker. The former Tottenham Hotspur and England forward has finally left the flagship Premier League highlights programme after 26 years of presenting. Lineker made his goodbyes while holding back the tears in what was an emotional final episode for the 64-year-old. The former striker announced he was leaving the BBC altogether soon after he shared a social media video criticising Israel which featured an emoji of a rat. Not long after deleting the post, Lineker apologised and stated that he would be stepping down from the BBC permanently following the end of the 2024/25 season. The presenter paid an emotional farewell to his colleagues at the BBC during his final episode on Sunday night. And after watching the end-of-season show, Walker, who presented Football Focus for 12 years before moving across to Channel 5 in 2022, sent a post in support of his ex-BBC colleague. The broadcaster, who was once touted as a possible long-term replacement for Lineker on MOTD, took to X and said: "Match of the Day won't be the same without Gary Lineker. "It was always a pleasure to present the show, but it was always Gary's chair. Brilliant career on the pitch matched by a brilliant stint on the biggest football show on the TV.' At the end of the episode, Lineker said: "Let me take this opportunity to thank all the pundits I've worked with over the years, you've made my job a lot easier. Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits.' Initially, Lineker was only going to step down from presenting weekly highlights of the Premier League on the show, but continue presenting live FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, before stepping away after the latter. However, his social media post hastened his exit from the Beeb. Confirming his imminent departure last Monday, he said: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. "I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for. "However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.' BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, said: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season." Lineker presented the flagship BBC show for 26 years, initially taking over from Des Lynam in 1999. He was drafted into the Match of the Day hot seat after Lynam left the BBC to join ITV. Next season, the trio of Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will share the hosting duties of Match of the Day.
