Carson blasts BBC for axing Barker from Question Of Sport

FORMER A Question Of Sport team captain Willie Carson has hit out at the BBC’s decision to axe Sue Barker – and said the host’s replacement should not automatically be from an ethnic minority background.

- Peter Robinson

Barker is leaving after 24 years while team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell will also depart as part of a major shake-up.

BBC bosses are said to be looking at making the panel more diverse – with Alex Scott rumoured to be in the frame to take over from Barker.

But Carson, 77, who appeared with Bill Beaumont as a team captain in 1982, questioned the decision to replace the whole panel.

Chemistry

He said: “The BBC are on dangerous ground because these are big shoes to fill. Very big shoes to fill.

“It seems a little bit harsh in a way, because it seems to be a very successful team. I’m sure most people were very happy the way the format is at the moment. I certainly am.