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?

Let me guess - you were trying to rile people up in the hope that a couple of them would go on to twitter to complain and kerching you have a ‘Twitter Storm!’ or ‘race row!’ which can be reported on in the media and used to launch a baseless attack against the BBC for being ‘woke’? Amiright??

ou deliberately started a thread designed to rile up racists by speculating about the reason why a presenter who’s had over two decades on the same show (a rare occurrence) is leaving.

This is so obviously what's happening. The technical term is 'stirring up racial hatred'.

Thank you for expressing it so clearly, @Tellmetruth4

I found articles from almost 6 years ago suggesting that the show was stale and needed change.

I think its wrong to say that it was a show that was working when its presentor was cruely axed. Realistically its likely that 1had it carried on it would have been axed entirely

This is so obviously what's happening.

Absolute bollocks.

Trouble is, their main audience is probably older people (my mum loves it). If they change it too much they'll stop watching and why would it appeal to younger people when they can watch A League of their Own, etc. Agree presenters should be more diverse, but dropping people will leave a bad taste when it's not their choice.

I can't say I'm happy that another woman is tossed aside because of her apparent age when the same rarely happens to their male counter parts...however I do think someone like Alex Scott would be an excellent replacement.

She's very a successful sportsperson, articulate and has natural warmth on camera. Although the same can be said for Sam Quek so she'd be a great choice too.

However I have a feeling that a man will take the spot and there might be a token woman as a team captain.

I can't say I'm happy that another woman is tossed aside because of her apparent age when the same rarely happens to their male counter parts...

I do wonder whether some of the more vocal ‘contributors’ to this thread would have been so quick to accuse me of not giving a shit about ageism had Laura Woods or Catherine Whitaker been announced as the new presenter.

I can't say I'm happy that another woman is tossed aside because of her apparent age when the same rarely happens to their male counter parts...however I do think someone like Alex Scott would be an excellent replacement.

I think they fired the two male team captains too though.

I guess Clare balding ticks a few diversity boxes? But yes it's a shame I liked Sue. That said I can't remember the last time I watched normal TV

@galgaf12

She's pale and stale. Time to go.

No need for comments like that. I agree though the show needs a shake-up, I haven’t watched it for years due to the 3 “leads”.

Clare Balding - feh. I switch her off these days, her with her misogyny.

Sue Barker is a former French Open champion. An older sports hero that should be celebrated. Ho hum

Yes, let her present Newsnight instead. After all, she should be celebrated. Virginia Wade can present Question Time.

23 years.
She's had a good innings.........

I'm sure that there are some former athletes who would be able to cover most bases for the BBC and be talented presenters - we had a shedload of paralympians come through in recent years, for example, and last time I realised it was still on, I was a bit surprised that they'd kept a stoner cricketer on the payroll for so long (and a bloke that played Rugby nearly as long ago, I think?).

They don't need somebody like Claire Balding or Ian Wright to do it. They've got plenty of exposure in their day to day careers. Somebody newer in every chair won't hurt.

Looks like Alex Scott might be quite a good replacement. Gary Linaker loves to stir things up though "'Smart, knowledgeable and perfectly qualified for the role. Oh... and if you have a problem with Alex getting the job, you might just be part of the problem.' "

The programme has become boring and Sue Barker was dull. She brought very little to the table, she usually just asked questions and half laughed her way through, contributing very little to the general merriment. She faded into the background. A change is good if they can get someone with more personality who is able to shake up the programme.

@Keeping2ChevronsApart

Looks like Alex Scott might be quite a good replacement. Gary Linaker loves to stir things up though "'Smart, knowledgeable and perfectly qualified for the role. Oh... and if you have a problem with Alex getting the job, you might just be part of the problem.' "

Lineker is 60 this year - presume he won't mind at all if they decide to replace him on Match of the Day.

Changemyname901
The programme has become boring and Sue Barker was dull.

The programme was boring and dull before Sue Barker took over the chair.