In 2021, the BBC aimed to revamp the beloved sports quiz show A Question of Sport, introducing Paddy McGuinness as the new host with team captains Sam Quek and Ugo Monye. The makeover led to a staggering fall in viewership – from roughly 4 million in 2021 to just about 800,000 by 2023, culminating in the decision to “shelve” the time-honoured programme.
Yet, there’s a silver lining for fans of the classic format. A new roadshow with the original stars, entitled “Sue, Matt and Phil Live! The Reunion Tour”, is set to embark on a national production, travelling from Bath all the way to Brighton.
The trio at the heart of the original series – Sue Barker, Matt Dawson, and Phil Tufnell – although disappointed at their exit from the show, have empathy towards their successors.
Sue disclosed to the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine that she hadn’t watched the overhauled version: “It was too painful for me to watch,” yet acknowledged the inevitable cancellation due to falling viewers, saying, “I saw the ratings and, in the end, they didn’t have much choice.” She reflected on how “when the ratings go, panic sets in.”
Matt shared his view that the newcomers were somewhat swept away by factors beyond their control, highlighting that the Covid pandemic’s stripping away of the live studio audience severely impacted the essential dynamics of the show.
He shared insights: “Just as in sport there are things, like the weather, you can’t plan for, things that are beyond the coach’s control.”
The legendary Question of Sport duo is set to take their act on tour, hinting at possible appearances by other icons from the classic quiz show.
Sue expressed her desire to lure Andy Murray away from the golf green, mentioning, “Getting him and Tim Henman on opposing teams would be good.”
Whereas queries concerning Sue’s television comeback remain unanswered, she remains firm, stating, “I’m never going to retire officially. I’ve been offered jobs back on TV, but I don’t think I could better the ones I had, and you always have to be climbing up.”
Nonetheless, the upcoming live tour promises to be a naughtier iteration of the TV classic.
Barker assures fans it will be unfiltered joy, explaining, “There is no filter,” and teasing, “We used to do out-take shows – anyone who watched those will know it was a laugh. This will be totally unedited; everything is out there.”