THIRTY, LOVE!
Sue quits after how many years? Tennis treasure Barker retires
I will miss it terribly, but after 30yrs the time’s right
SUE Barker will retire from hosting the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon after this year’s tournament having spent 30 years in the role.
Trailblazer Sue, 66, won the French Open in 1976 – the last British woman to do so – and played on Centre Court.
After retiring she became a TV host and was the first woman to lead the presentation on the BBC.
Just as comfortable interviewing royalty as she is the top tennis stars, Sue paved the way for a raft of talented women to build screen careers.
She also hosted many major events across the BBC over the years including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games Grand National, London Marathon and Sports Personality of the Year.
And she was the longest-running presenter on Question Of Sport, Sue
SUE BARKER STEPPING DOWN FROM BBC ROLE
hosted the quiz for 24 years until she was controversially axed last year.
Giving up her role at Wimbledon means Sue has effectively retired from broadcasting as it was her last contracted TV role.
Sources close to the star said she turned down a three-year extension to stay fronting the iconic tennis tournament.
Sue picked Andy Murray’s win in 2013 as her favourite moment at the tournament, saying: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so nervous watching someone serve out a tennis match.”
Confirming her departure Sue, who earlier this year was handed a CBE at Windsor Castle, said: “What a wonderful time I’ve had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. I will miss it terribly, but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me.
“I’ve worked with the best of the best.”
Paying tribute to her work, Tim Davie, DirectorGeneral said: “Many viewers will not know of a summer in SW19 without her. She is a consummate professional, an outstanding presenter and a wonderful colleague, loved by players, all of us at the BBC and audiences across the UK.
“Her contribution to presenting and for blazing a trail for women in broadcasting cannot be overstated.”
Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport, says: “Sue is a national treasure and we’d have loved for her to continue in her role for many years to come.”
Away from the court Cliff Richard almost proposed to Sue after they started dating in 1982. The relationship did not last, but they remained close.
She married landscape gardener and former policeman Lance Tankard in 1988. They live in the Cotswolds village of Stanton, Gloucestershire.