Alex Scott has vowed to finish her stint on Football Focus on a high, after the BBC’s decision to end the iconic show after 52 years. Scott, who has been hosting since 2021, addressed the axing of the show with grace, promising to keep the show’s legacy intact as the season comes to a close.
In her first show since the BBC’s announcement, Scott made a brief nod to the end of Football Focus but immediately focused on the football, ensuring fans that the remaining episodes will be filled with the energy and passion the show has always been known for. “It’s not done, it’s not done yet,” Scott declared, quoting footballer Declan Rice. “We’ve got five games left to decide the Premier League title and five shows left in the proud history of Football Focus.”
The BBC announced earlier this week that the long-running Saturday lunchtime staple would come to an end after this season due to dwindling viewership and criticism over its “woke” shift. The show, which debuted in 1974, has become a fixture in football culture, but the industry has changed, with many fans now choosing on-demand and digital platforms over traditional TV viewing.
In her emotional message, Scott acknowledged that this would be her final season, even before the BBC’s announcement, revealing her intention to transition to new opportunities. “I always knew this would be my last season,” she wrote on Instagram. “My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.”
Scott’s tenure has had its critics, with some viewers expressing dissatisfaction with the show’s new direction. However, BBC Sport chief Alex Kay-Jelski defended Scott, calling her “one of our finest presenters.” He added that Scott will remain central to BBC Sport’s future, with major projects lined up, including coverage of both the Men’s and Women’s World Cups and leading roles in the Women’s Super League and BBC Sport Personality of the Year.
Former Football Focus hosts, including Dan Walker and Bob Wilson, have expressed their disappointment over the show’s cancellation. Walker, who hosted the show for 12 years, tweeted about his sadness at the end of an era, reminiscing about watching the show with his father. Wilson, who presented the show for two decades, called the decision “crazy,” citing the show’s decades-long success and the emotional connection viewers have with it.
The decision comes amid BBC’s wider strategy to reduce costs, including cutting up to 2,000 jobs as part of a major downsizing effort. As Football Focus ends its 52-year run, the BBC is planning a replacement interview-based show titled The Football Interview, which will focus on the personal lives of footballers, with Final Score moving to an earlier time slot.
Despite the dramatic changes, Alex Scott remains upbeat about her future at the BBC, promising fans exciting new projects ahead.
