The BBC has confirmed that Paddy McGuinness will be the new presenter of long-running sports quiz, A Question of Sport.
He’ll also be joined by a new set of team captains Sam Quek and Ugo Monye.
Sue Barker was axed as the show’s presenter after 24 years, along with Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, as the BBC decided to take the show “in a new direction.”
Made by BBC Studios at dock10, it’s been confirmed that the series will retain some of the “most popular challenges and rounds” but a number of new elements will be introduced.
“I love the fiercely competitive nature of sports stars coupled with having a laugh. That’s why A Question of Sport has always been one of my favourite shows and having been weaned on it from an early age, this is an honour and opportunity I’m certainly not taking lightly,” said McGuinness.
“I grew up with both Davids hosting but it’s Sue who made this show her own. She will always be A Question of Sport icon, but I’ll try my best to stamp my own mark on it.”
The new captains are former international hockey player and presenter, Sam Quek, who has won more than 120 caps and won an Olympic Gold Medal in Rio. Up against her is Ugo Monye is a former international rugby union player who was the leading try scorer for the British & Irish Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa. Since he retired he’s become a rugby pundit for BT Sport and ITV, as well as presenting the BBC’s weekly rugby podcast.
“This really is my dream job! I’ve watched A Question of Sport since I was a little girl and my ambition to appear on the show came true five years ago – but I never thought that I would one day be a captain,” said Quek.
“And the first female captain in the show’s 50-year history too. I have some huge shoes to fill as Matt and Phil are two of the greatest captains to have ever appeared on the show but it’s thanks to trailblazers like Sue Barker that I now have this opportunity. I’ll give it my all and make sure I enjoy every minute of the ride. Oh, and Ugo… I’m coming for you!!”
The trio will begin filming the show later in the summer at Dock10 in MediaCityUK.
“It’s a really exciting time to launch the next era of everyone’s favourite sporting entertainment show and I’m thrilled that this next chapter of A Question of Sport will be hosted by the brilliant, funny and sports-mad Paddy McGuinness,” said Suzy Lamb, MD for Entertainment and Music Productions at BBC Studios.
“Pairing him up with Sam Quek & Ugo Monye as captains will ensure the blend of fun, competitiveness and sporting knowledge will continue to delight long-time fans of the show. Sue was an incredible host for 24 years and accompanied by Matt and Phil made sure A Question of Sport has the longevity to run for another 50 years.”
