Sue Barker and ‘diversity’

[StillCoughingandLaughing]

Sue Barker (plus team captains Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson) has been axed from A Question of Sport:

www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/fuming-question-sport-fans-demand-22686408

Reports are speculating that this is down to a drive to increase diversity in the presenting team. I should emphasise that, while Barker has confirmed she was axed, the BBC has NOT confirmed the reason - I’m not claiming this is gospel.

However, if this is part of a diversity drive, isn’t the BBC a) swapping one kind of inequality for another and b) shooting itself in the foot? The BBC has regularly been accused of sexism and ageism, and notably a combination of the two (remember Arlene Phillips?) Sue Barker is a 64 year-old woman with genuine credentials to present this show, as well as a wealth of experience. How many other high-profile female sports presenters aged 50 or older can you name? Because I can’t name one. Surely there’s little point in diversifying if you have to become less diverse to do so?

To me, this is a major misstep by the BBC. An older, highly experienced woman in a high profile role, who got the job based on credentials and not as window dressing, was a genuine asset. Why drop her to tick another box?

Not too sure behind the reasoning. A 23 years run. May be time to change. No?
I am surprised at the short notice though. She was only given one month notice. That is out of order to me.

We used to love it but have stopped watching over the last couple of years. It’s got a bit tired and needed a change in my view. I doubt it’s about diversity as they could always have waited for a natural team captain change and there are always 4 guests. And as you say, an older woman as host ticked a lot of boxes anyway.

Yes, but they're not really bothered about ticking the 'older woman' box are they? Such a shame, I find Sue a really good, natural presenter.

It’s undoubtedly a diversity issue. Very sad.

I don't see why they would axe all three to bring in more diversity. Surely replacing one of the male presenters would do?

As you mentioned, Sue is ticking the 'woman' box.

Older women have been dispensable for years.

Only a fool would consider this a diversity issue.

Who is replacing her? I imagine claire balding might be a good replacement (personality and entertainment wise), and also ticking diversity boxes. I cant think of any other women replacements that would work though, be interesting to see who is brought in. And if one of the two team captains is also female- would be good to see balance there too.

Have you actually watched it in the last decade? It's been shit for years, and Barker is a personality vacuum.

I think we all know where the 'diversity' will go another box ticked.

FFS. Why don't you just write 'I don't like blacks' and be done with it.

@thedancingbear succinctly put!

They've changed the team captains far more frequently than the presenters, which would seem to indicate if anything more of a prejudice against men.

I think older women should be represented

Who is replacing her? I imagine claire balding might be a good replacement (personality and entertainment wise), and also ticking diversity boxes. I cant think of any other women replacements that would work though, be interesting to see who is brought in.

Alex Scott seems to be high up on the list of possibilities.

Is that you Sue?

Will they keep the same format? If it's become 'stale' over the years, maybe it's time they just replaced it with a totally different show.

Gary Lineker should be mothballed....

Time to let someone else have a go at presenting. She’s been doing it for years anyway.

I'm a BAME disabled woman, I'd really like to know which major BBC show is presented by someone with my makeup? Could it possibly be that it's just people complaining about political correctness gone mad again, without any real evidence that the BBC has actually changed anything?

I think a completely left field Choice of Zara Phillips and her husband as opposing team captains would do pretty well, balanced by Ian Wrights natural cheeky chappy style as host or maybe a cyclist as captain, male or female if any of them have the aptitude- cycling is fast growing and could provide the audience boost the show needs.

Nicola Adams might also be interesting if she has the personality to sway the public on Strictly, it's been a long time since a boxer was a Tv personality in the mould of Frank Bruno

Well I for one am shocked.

A Question of Sport is still going??

She's had a long career & it was getting a bit safe & stale to me. There are travel shows,consumer shows, radio shows etc all using older women presenters now so sure she won't have nothing.

I suspect that ‘diversity’ is a convenient excuse for getting rid of Sue, rather than being the reason.

I suspect that ‘diversity’ is a convenient excuse for getting rid of Sue, rather than being the reason.
But nobody with any knowledge of the situation has suggested the decision was down to diversity. It's all just speculation from, I presume, racists.

I think it's one of the hazards of these kinds of jobs, that your job is never safe and secure and everyone is replaceable. I can see the logic in wanting to shake things up and bring in some new faces and fresh ideas.

I also think it's a good thing that the BBC are trying to increase diversity.