It did not come as a shock to when the dropped himself, and from in 2020. The 59-year-old icon had been a staple member of the show ever since he was named as a team captain in 2007.

After 13 years he, Barker and Dawson were as the Beeb wanted to shake up the format and the personnel of the show. Barker was replaced , while Tufnell and Dawson made way for

After the former Focus host Dan Walker took to social media and suggested the BBC had "alienated their core audience while searching for a new one" with their decision-making. Tennis icon Barker, who had presented the show for more than 20 years, has also admitted that she was unhappy with

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While speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Stick to Cricket show, Tufnell admitted he was not left speechless when the decision was broke to him. He told : "You can't do things forever."

Tuffers explained: "They had been talking about it and what have you. I wasn't really involved in it. We'd all been doing it for a while. Well, more than a while, around 13 or 14 years I'd been captain.

"They fancied a bit of a refresh. We were just sort of like, 'Okay, well, there you go. Thanks very much for the memories. I thoroughly enjoyed every single show. Loved every minute of it.'

"Now we're doing the theatre show. It's not called A Question of Sport, of course. We're all good friends, all got a very similar sense of humour.

"We all get on very well so it's great to be back recreating it a little bit. Obviously, you think to yourself, 'Oh crikey,' but we wished everyone the best. It was part of our lives."

In a statement released at that time, the BBC said: "We would like to thank Sue for her enormous contribution as the show's longest reigning host over the last 24 years, and Matt and Phil for their excellent team captaincy over 16 and 12 years respectively.

"Together they have ensured A Question of Sport remains a firm favourite with the BBC One audience. Sue, Matt and Phil's final series will be broadcast next year."

When the show was shelved in 2023, a BBC spokesman hinted at the possibility of its revival by stating the decision was "not the final whistle." Tufnell said he would like to see the show return to the nation's screens, but would not expect a phone call from the BBC if it did.

He added: "I hope it does come back. It was part of my childhood. It had been going for 55 years, a long time.

"I loved the show when I was on it and I loved it as a boy. It was one of those little half hours that you sat round with your family.

"Hopefully, it comes back. I'd be delighted to sit down and watch it. Whether we do it again, I'm not so sure. But, we've had our time, haven't we?"

are set for a big summer and winter of cricket, launching a new show with The Overlap: Stick to Cricket. Don't miss the first episode next week, where the team will be reviewing the opening test of the series between England and India