The world’s longest-running TV sports quiz show, Question of Sport, has been shelved after more than 50 years on air, the BBC has confirmed.
The BBC said production on the show, which shoots at dock10 Studio in MediaCityUK, had stopped, and that “difficult decisions” had been necessary.
A BBC spokesman insisted it was “not the final whistle,” however, and the programme could come back in the future. The spokesman cited the example of The Weakest Link, which has also had gaps in production, and said “Question of Sport is not going to appear on any other channels. It is the BBC’s intellectual property.”
The first episode of the BBC One programme was broadcast in 1970, presented by David Vine.
Question of Sport was not on screens for two years in the 1970s but has remained in continuous production since 1978.
It was one of the most popular shows in the 1980s when David Coleman hosted, with Princess Anne’s appearance as a guest in 1987 attracting its highest-ever viewing figures of 19 million.
Former tennis player Sue Barker took over in 1997 and spent 24 years as host, before being replaced by Paddy McGuinness in 2021.
Question of Sport underwent a revamp with McGuiness’ arrival, with non-sporting celebrities being invited to appear as guests.
The most recent team captains were GB hockey star Sam Quek and former England rugby union international Ugo Monye.
Former team captains include rugby union players Matt Dawson and Sir Bill Beaumont, cricketers Ian Botham and Phil Tufnell, and ex-footballers Ally McCoist and Emlyn Hughes.
The BBC said that “due to inflation and funding challenges, difficult decisions have to be made, therefore Question of Sport is currently not in production at the moment.”
It is understood the decision to cease production was connected to falling viewing figures. Audience numbers dropped below one million last year, having regularly hit four to five million under Barker.
