Questions over ageism at BBC

It appears ageism is rife within the BBC, with the corporation’s latest announcement that Sue Barker is to be replaced as Question of Sport presenter after 23 years (Mirror, September 14). And, to add insult to injury, team captains Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson are also getting the boot.

Now that the over-75s have to pay for their TV licence, one would think the BBC would at least provide some programmes for this age group. Many of us ‘oldies’ enjoyed watching Sue, Phil and Matt on this long-running show and don’t want it taken in a “new direction”, whatever that means. I, and I suspect many others of my generation, will no longer watch it. John Price, Doncaster, S Yorks

I was shocked and saddened to hear that Sue Barker is being made to leave A Question of Sport after 23 years in the presenter’s chair. The programme and Sue are British institutions and the BBC should leave it alone. She, and team captains Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson are a great combination and many fans don’t want ant the format changed.

I do feel that the BBC is trying ying to please younger viewers at the expense of the older generation. enerame Perhaps it’s time the Government got rid of the licence fee and made de the BBC pay its way like ke the commercial channels. els. Chris Stott, Nottingham ham

As a pensioner over-75 ver-75 I now have to pay for or my TV licence and I’m furious urious that the BBC is changing nging the present Question on of

No. The virus doesn’t abide by the rules, it spreads by anyone mixing with others whether it’s in offices, on buses, in pubs or restaurants.

Sport line-up. Although I’m not a sporting man myself, I enjoy the programme and the demise of its current format when it is one of the BBC’s top shows is utter madness.

I do hope more people complain about this.

Bob Hughes, Sutton Bridge, Lincs

The BBC has axed Sue Barker as host of A Question of Sport after 23 years and team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell are also to go.

It used to be an enjoyable show when David Coleman presented it before it was dumbed down and became a poor man’s version of

They Think It’s All Over. Let’s see what the BBC come up with for the reboot.

Steve Goulding, Sheffield

The BBC should be held accountable for their ageism within the corporation following Sue Barker’s shameful removal from A Question of Sport.

It is apparently an age thing because Sue is excellent in the job, even at 64. But I’m not surprised about this latest move as they took away the free licence for over-75s – again more ageism.

Darren Milner, Stoke-on-Trent

I simply can’t believe the BBC are rep replacing Sue Barker and team cap captains Matt and Phil on a Question tion of Sport. Is this another politically cally correct move?

W We should all voice our anger over this unpopular decision by the BBC BBC, which we pay for.

Lind

Linda Martin, Witham, Essex

Another An clear out of ageing presenters prese at the BBC, I see. This time the legend that is Sue Barker is getting get the boot. There’s another BBC show that will be no longer worth watching.

Alastair Alast Stevenson, Watford