The BBC's decision to cancel Football Focus has been labelled 'crazy' by former presenter Bob Wilson, who hosted the long-running show for two decades from 1974 to 1994. Wilson expressed shock and sadness that what he considers an institution is being scrapped after 52 years.
Declining Viewing Figures and Criticism
The move comes amid declining viewing figures and widespread criticism that the current iteration of Football Focus, under host Alex Scott, has become 'pedestrian, vacuous, uninspiring and uninformative'. The BBC plans to replace it from next season with an interview show exploring what makes footballers tick.
Wilson wrote in The Times: 'It has run successfully for 52 years, so goodness me, why are they getting rid of it? I have always watched the show when possible and loved the fact that it was being enjoyed by the next generation. Now that I’m 84, it was a huge part of not only my life but also that of many football supporters. It’s sad news.'
Wilson's Legacy and Reaction
Wilson, who played 310 times in goal for Arsenal before transitioning to broadcasting, presented Football Focus while still coaching the Gunners. He conducted high-profile interviews with figures like Gary Lineker and Sir Alex Ferguson and navigated challenging topics such as the Hillsborough disaster. He added: 'People want to be told about the big games of the weekend, the issues, the news of the week, discussion, covering a range of clubs and personalities.'
Mixed Public Reaction
The announcement, made on Thursday afternoon, drew mixed reactions online. Some social media users welcomed the cancellation, with one posting: 'Good - it's been an awful woke joke for years. #defundtheBBC' and another writing: 'Go woke, go broke!' Criticism of the show has been mounting in recent years. In March 2024, Simon Jordan wrote in the Daily Mail that the show had become 'too smug, comfortable and pally-pally' following a segment featuring a gay West Brom supporter discussing his sexuality.
Former pundit Mark Lawrenson argued that the BBC is 'top of the woke league' after a rebrand cost him his job. Fans have been divided over Scott's role since she took over from Dan Walker in 2021, with some labelling her 'the death knell' of the show.
BBC's Defence and Scott's Response
BBC Sport chief Alex Kay-Jelski defended Scott, calling her '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'. Scott broke her silence on Instagram, stating she had always planned to leave after this season: 'My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.' She noted the changing media landscape, saying: 'When this show began all those years ago, social media wasn't a driving force, podcasts didn't exist, and there was no instant access to information. Now, by the time we go on air, the reality is you've already seen it, debated it, and lived it across so many platforms.'
Dan Walker's Reaction
Scott's predecessor, Dan Walker, also reacted to the news with a thinly-veiled dig at the BBC. He tweeted: 'Really sad to hear about the end of Football Focus. 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.'
Viewing Figures and BBC Cuts
Pre-Covid pandemic viewing figures averaged 957,000 for Football Focus, reaching 1.12 million during the 2020-21 season. However, numbers dropped to 687,000 in the 2022-23 campaign. The cancellation coincides with the BBC's announcement that it will cut up to 2,000 jobs, around 10% of its workforce, in its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
