Alex Scott fought again tears because the curtain got here down on Soccer Focus after 52 years on air.
It was reported final month that the present could be scrapped by the BBC on the finish of this season amid a decline in viewing figures over latest years.
The choice to axe the present has cut up opinion, however on the ultimate ever episode on Sunday, Scott was left emotional after being handed a photograph of her and Bob Wilson, who introduced the programme from 1974 to 1994, and was its first ever host.
Standard BBC pundit Garth Crooks was introduced again for the ultimate episode and as he handed Scott the photograph, she was touched.
‘That is acquired me,’ she stated as she checked out her current which had: ‘Alex, congratulations for all you have got achieved’, written on it.
She later added: ‘Thanks Garth for being right here at present. For 52 years, wow, this present has carried out one factor. Week in week out, it has introduced soccer into your Saturday afternoons whether or not it was Bob Wilson in 1974 or any of the good presenters that sat on this chair after him, the factor that by no means modified was you, the followers.’
Alex Scott was left emotional as the ultimate episode of Soccer Focus was aired on Sunday
Standard BBC pundit Garth Crooks was introduced again for Sunday’s emotional present
As Scott fought again the tears, she continued: ‘I will not faux this is not onerous – as you may see – however what I do know is the soccer would not cease, the story would not cease and the objectives do not cease, the drama, the heartbreak, it simply finds a brand new house.
‘So from everybody who has ever labored on Soccer Focus, thanks for making Saturday lunchtime one thing to look ahead to.
‘It has been an honour, that is Soccer Focus for the final time and earlier than we take pleasure in yet one more journey down reminiscence lane, Bob, I’d love so that you can have the final phrase.’
Wilson, who was one in every of many former presenters to return on the programme’s ultimate present regardless of now being 84, stated: ‘Alex, thanks a lot – all good issues come to an finish. Thanks to all of you at house for watching Soccer Focus for the final 52 years, we have had a ball.’
Earlier within the present, Scott had addressed the subject of it being the ultimate episode, which was honoured with a tribute that included messages from a number of of its earlier presenters, together with Dan Walker.
The programme then ended with a montage of the present’s finest moments through the years.
Nevertheless, a number of followers did not look like unhappy that the Soccer Focus period was ending as they took to social media to specific their ideas.
One stated: ‘Watching the final ever Soccer Focus and you’ll see why it’s come to an finish… utter woke nonsense.’
Bob Wilson, who introduced the present for twenty years, appeared on its final ever episode
Nevertheless, a number of followers took to social media to hit out at Soccer Focus because it got here to an finish
One other added: ‘Soccer Focus….An ideal instance of what occurs once you go woke with a protracted standing TV programme.’
A 3rd fan chimed in with: ‘The final Soccer Focus is on. Died a woke demise.’
Each day Mail Sport beforehand reported that the justification for the present’s axing was declining viewing figures, coupled with widespread criticism that the present iteration is ‘pedestrian, vacuous, uninspiring and uninformative’.
Pre-Covid pandemic viewing figures averaged 957,000 for Soccer Focus, and reached 1.12 million throughout the 2020-21 season. Within the 2022-23 marketing campaign, although, numbers had been as little as 687,000.
