GREAT SCOTT!
EX-ENGLAND STAR (AND METRO COLUMNIST) ALEX READY TO RULE BBC’S QUESTION OF SPORT
TELEVISION favourites have been expressing their delight at reports that former footballer Alex Scott will be the new presenter of A Question Of Sport.
Alex, a contestant on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, is reportedly set to replace 64-year-old Sue Barker, who is leaving the BBC One quiz show after 24 years.
The 35-year-old ex-England international – and former Metro columnist – is said to have impressed Beeb bosses with her guest appearances on the show.
But yesterday Alex used social media to laugh off the rumours of her new role. She uploaded a video of herself miming to the lyrics ‘I don’t know’ from Supa Dupa Humble’s song Steppin’ while the names of several TV hits, including A Question Of Sport and Goals On Sunday, flashed on the screen. Alex added that she ‘ didn’t know’ why her name had been mentioned in connection with the job, or what the future holds. However, that didn’t stop TV colleagues singing her praises, including Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker – who also took a swipe at her critics. Gary, 59, tweeted: ‘ Congratulations and good luck to @AlexScott on being the new host for Question Of Sport. ‘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.’ Richard Osman, 49, co-host of teatime quiz show Pointless, added: ‘ Alex Scott will be such a great Question Of Sport host. I’m old enough to remember people getting angry that Sue Barker was appointed too. The tune never changes.’
Barker’s final appearances on the show – alongside team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, who are also leaving – will be broadcast in coming months. The Sun reported that Alex is due to meet BBC executives next month before ‘contracts are signed in December’, with a formal announcement next year.
A source told the newspaper: ‘Alex is being lined up as host, as a direct replacement for Sue. Like Sue, she’s a former sportswoman and she also has five years of broadcasting under her belt. She’s a natural on camera and, crucially, lives and breathes all things sport.’
However the BBC downplayed the reports, describing them as ‘speculation’. A spokesman added: ‘No conversations have been had about the future line-up.’