Alex Scott breaks down in tears on BBC’s Football Focus show | Football | Sport
Alex Scott battled back tears as she brought the curtain down on Football Focus (Image: BBC SPORT)
Alex Scott fought back tears as she brought the curtain down on Football Focus while presenting the show’s final episode on Saturday. It was announced earlier this year that the iconic preview programme would be axed at the end of the season. It debuted on the BBC back in 1974 but has finally run its course and won’t be returning for the 2026/27 campaign.
During the final moments of the broadcast, several presenters from over the years recorded messages to mark the end of the show’s five-decade run. The likes of Dan Walker and Manish Bhasin were among those featured, with Scott also included in the package. She appeared tearful during her pre-recorded interview and was similarly emotional when the cameras returned to the studio.
Scott was accompanied by Garth Crooks, who presented her with a commemorative picture signed by Bob Wilson, the iconic presenter of Football Focus between 1974 and 1994.
“That’s got me,” replied Scott as she struggled to compose herself. “Thank you, Garth, for being here today. For 52 years, this show has done one thing. Week in, week out, it’s brought football into your Saturday afternoons.
“Whether it was Bob Wilson in 1974 or any of the brilliant people who sat in this chair after him, the thing that never changed was you, the fans. You were always there.
“I won’t pretend this isn’t hard, as you can see, but what I know is the football doesn’t stop, the stories don’t stop, the goals don’t stop, the drama, the heartbreak, the magic. None of that stops. It just finds a new home.
“So from everyone who has ever worked on Football Focus, the presenters, the producers, the cameras, the crews and the pundits, everyone, thank you.
“Thank you for making Saturday lunchtime something to look forward to. It’s been an honour. This is Football Focus for the very last time.”
Scott was joined by Garth Crooks in the studio for the final programme (Image: BBC SPORT)
Confirming that Football Focus would not be continuing beyond the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, a BBC statement read: “Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has decided to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season.
“First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience.
“The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
“But changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent.
“Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms.”
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