Alex Scott was all smiles while hosting her first edition of Football Focus since the BBC announced the show would be coming to an end, amid criticism over plummeting viewing figures during her tenure.
Scott, who took over from Dan Walker in 2021, made only a brief nod to the broadcaster’s decision to axe the show in her introduction, vowing to ensure the long-running institution was left on a high.
‘Hello and welcome to Football Focus. In the words of Declan Rice: it’s not done, it’s not done yet,’ the former England international said.
‘We’ve got five games left to decide the Premier League title and five shows left in the proud history of Football Focus.
‘We’re going to be finishing our 52nd season strong beginning today with a “tough tackling” partnership of Ashley Williams and Farah Williams.’
The coverage then swung immediately to coverage of Chelsea’s controversial decision to sack Liam Rosenior earlier this week.
Scott made only a brief nod to the broadcaster’s decision to axe the show in her introduction, vowing to ensure the long-running institution was left on a high
The BBC announced earlier this week that the Saturday lunchtime staple, which first aired in 1974, would come to an end at the end of this season. This comes amid viewing figures dwindling in recent years and criticism the show has become ‘woke’.
Fans have been split on Scott’s role since she took over from Dan Walker in 2021, with one writing on social media following Thursday’s news that she was ‘the death knell’ of the show.
BBC Sport chief Alex Kay-Jelski, however, was quick to defend the former England women’s footballer. Announcing the end of the show in a statement on Thursday, he said Scott is ‘one of our finest presenters, is hugely popular across the men and women’s game and is a big part of our present and future’.
He added: ‘She will remain at the heart of our sports output across both the Men’s World Cup this year and the Women’s World Cup in 2027, as well as continuing her lead role on the Women’s Super League and BBC Sport Personality of the Year. We are also working on a very exciting new project with her – more to come on that soon.’
Scott’s predecessor, Dan Walker, hit out at the news with a thinly-veiled dig at his former employer.
‘Really sad to hear about the end of Football Focus,’ he tweeted. ‘I loved that show growing up. I used to watch it every week with my dad and I remember how proud he was when I got the job.
‘It was such a privilege to sit in the chair for 12 years, work with an amazing team on and off air and form so many lasting friendships. Saturdays were always special.
‘The football landscape is constantly changing and it’s disappointing that there isn’t space for a show that has meant so much to so many people for so many years.’
The BBC are keen to now adapt how they bring football coverage to fans, with mobile and on-demand viewing on social media platforms increasing all the time.
This year, the broadcaster is set to invest in its digital output and content across all of its platforms, with ‘fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences’ presented.
Pre-Covid pandemic viewing figures averaged 957,000 for Football Focus, and reached 1.12 million during the 2020-21 season. In the 2022-23 campaign, though, numbers were as low as 687,000.
Kay-Jelski said: ‘Football Focus has been a hugely important programme in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the stories of the game for generations of viewers.
‘This decision was made before last week’s wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.’
Last week the BBC announced that it would cut up to 2,000 jobs in a bid to save money in what will be its biggest downsize in 15 years.
Staff were informed of the cuts on Wednesday last week, with around 10 per cent of employees to lose their jobs.
