BBC presenter Alex Scott received a glowing tribute from the U.S. Ambassador to the UK at a high-profile event in London last night.
Speaking to an audience at a Women in Sport reception, Jane D. Hartley said Scott had inspired “millions of girls to dream bigger, and inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently.”
The event, at the Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, was held by WME and Img parent Endeavor 100 days out from the Paris Olympics. It brought together many major media and sports personalities, brands and agents, with Scott the special guest.
“The wonderful Alex Scott has been blazing a trail for other women to follow throughout her long career,” said Hartley. “She is someone who has inspired millions with her grace and grit on the pitch, her wit and wisdom as a commentator and especially her mentorship of young women who want...
Speaking to an audience at a Women in Sport reception, Jane D. Hartley said Scott had inspired “millions of girls to dream bigger, and inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently.”
The event, at the Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, was held by WME and Img parent Endeavor 100 days out from the Paris Olympics. It brought together many major media and sports personalities, brands and agents, with Scott the special guest.
“The wonderful Alex Scott has been blazing a trail for other women to follow throughout her long career,” said Hartley. “She is someone who has inspired millions with her grace and grit on the pitch, her wit and wisdom as a commentator and especially her mentorship of young women who want...
- 4/18/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Two of the UK’s leading presenters have engaged in a public spat over the fading fortunes of one of the country’s most established sports shows.
The BBC’s Football Focus – a studio show inviting football pundits to analyse the day’s games following the final whistle on Saturday afternoons – has been running for 49 years, but was revealed this week to have lost more than a third of its viewing audience in the space of four years.
That dip coincided with the departure of presenter Dan Walker, who left the show in 2021 after 11 years as host, whereupon he was replaced by former women’s England team player Alex Scott.
He wrote on social media platform X on Saturday:
“It’s hard to see Football Focus struggling. I loved it growing up and it was an honour to present it and I still miss it. We poured everything into that...
The BBC’s Football Focus – a studio show inviting football pundits to analyse the day’s games following the final whistle on Saturday afternoons – has been running for 49 years, but was revealed this week to have lost more than a third of its viewing audience in the space of four years.
That dip coincided with the departure of presenter Dan Walker, who left the show in 2021 after 11 years as host, whereupon he was replaced by former women’s England team player Alex Scott.
He wrote on social media platform X on Saturday:
“It’s hard to see Football Focus struggling. I loved it growing up and it was an honour to present it and I still miss it. We poured everything into that...
- 9/23/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Len Goodman has died, aged 78.
The dance expert, who served as head judge on the hit BBC series from its launch in 2004 until 2016, had recently been admitted to a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, following a short illness. He is reported to have been diagnosed with bone cancer.
Tributes have poured in for Goodman after his agent announced the star’s death, stating: “It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.
“A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”
As well as Strictly, Goodman was a judge on Dancing with the Stars, the US version of the competition from 2005 to 2022. He was replaced on Strictly after his 2016 departure by Shirley Ballas.
Tuesday (25 April) would have been Goodman’s 79th birthday.
The Woolwich-born TV personality was an aspiring footballer as a youngster,...
The dance expert, who served as head judge on the hit BBC series from its launch in 2004 until 2016, had recently been admitted to a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, following a short illness. He is reported to have been diagnosed with bone cancer.
Tributes have poured in for Goodman after his agent announced the star’s death, stating: “It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.
“A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”
As well as Strictly, Goodman was a judge on Dancing with the Stars, the US version of the competition from 2005 to 2022. He was replaced on Strictly after his 2016 departure by Shirley Ballas.
Tuesday (25 April) would have been Goodman’s 79th birthday.
The Woolwich-born TV personality was an aspiring footballer as a youngster,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
BBC director general Tim Davie has apologized over the ongoing fracas around star soccer player turned sports pundit Gary Lineker, but will not resign.
Last Tuesday, Lineker, commenting on the U.K. government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill, tweeted, describing it as an “immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s.”
Lineker is a star presenter on the BBC’s “Match of the Day” soccer program.
Lineker’s tweet raised government hackles and on Friday, the BBC suspended him, saying: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines. The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting ‘Match of the Day’ until we’ve got an agreed and clear...
Last Tuesday, Lineker, commenting on the U.K. government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill, tweeted, describing it as an “immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s.”
Lineker is a star presenter on the BBC’s “Match of the Day” soccer program.
Lineker’s tweet raised government hackles and on Friday, the BBC suspended him, saying: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines. The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting ‘Match of the Day’ until we’ve got an agreed and clear...
- 3/12/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Updated: The BBC has apologized after its Premier League output went into freefall as mutinous presenters and pundits staged a protest over the suspension of Gary Lineker.
The British broadcaster took the unprecedented step of standing down Lineker on Friday afternoon over a politically-charged tweet, but the decision has backfired spectacularly with coverage falling off air.
The BBC said: “The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that. We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans. We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.”
Barbara Slater, the BBC’s director of sport for nearly 14 years, apologized to staff in an email. “We understand how unsettling this is,” she said.
In a breathless few hours on Saturday, the BBC’s television and radio output...
The British broadcaster took the unprecedented step of standing down Lineker on Friday afternoon over a politically-charged tweet, but the decision has backfired spectacularly with coverage falling off air.
The BBC said: “The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that. We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans. We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.”
Barbara Slater, the BBC’s director of sport for nearly 14 years, apologized to staff in an email. “We understand how unsettling this is,” she said.
In a breathless few hours on Saturday, the BBC’s television and radio output...
- 3/11/2023
- by Jake Kanter and Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Piers Morgan has shared messages of support for Gary Lineker after the BBC announced that the presenter would be “stepping back” from hosting Match of the Day.
The former England striker is at the centre of a public debate about impartiality at the BBC, after he compared a video unveiling the government’s asylum policy to rhetoric used in Germany in the 1930s.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC said that Lineker would not continue presenting Motd until an “agreed and clear position” on his social media use had been reached.
This led to his co-hosts Alan Shearer and Ian Wright pulling out of presenting the show on Saturday (11 March) in “solidarity”. Micah Richards, Jermaine Jenas and Alex Scott also ruled themselves out of appearing on the show, meaning it will go ahead without any presenters.
You can follow The Independent’s live blog for updates.
On Saturday (11 March), Morgan spoke...
The former England striker is at the centre of a public debate about impartiality at the BBC, after he compared a video unveiling the government’s asylum policy to rhetoric used in Germany in the 1930s.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC said that Lineker would not continue presenting Motd until an “agreed and clear position” on his social media use had been reached.
This led to his co-hosts Alan Shearer and Ian Wright pulling out of presenting the show on Saturday (11 March) in “solidarity”. Micah Richards, Jermaine Jenas and Alex Scott also ruled themselves out of appearing on the show, meaning it will go ahead without any presenters.
You can follow The Independent’s live blog for updates.
On Saturday (11 March), Morgan spoke...
- 3/11/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Gary Lineker is currently at the centre of a BBC impartiality row that’s led to his Match of the Day co-hosts standing down from Saturday (11 March) night’s show.
The former England footballer – who is the highest paid presenter at the BBC – tweeted a comparison of the language used to launch the Conservative government’s new asylum policy with Germany in the 1930s
Shortly after, on Friday (10 March), the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting the football highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his social media use had been reached.
Lineker’s Motd co-hosts Alan Shearer and Ian Wright then pulled out of presenting the show on Saturday in “solidarity”, while Micah Richards, Jermaine Jenas and Alex Scott also ruled themselves out of appearing on the show. Scott also said that she would not present Football Focus on Saturday.
You can follow...
The former England footballer – who is the highest paid presenter at the BBC – tweeted a comparison of the language used to launch the Conservative government’s new asylum policy with Germany in the 1930s
Shortly after, on Friday (10 March), the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting the football highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his social media use had been reached.
Lineker’s Motd co-hosts Alan Shearer and Ian Wright then pulled out of presenting the show on Saturday in “solidarity”, while Micah Richards, Jermaine Jenas and Alex Scott also ruled themselves out of appearing on the show. Scott also said that she would not present Football Focus on Saturday.
You can follow...
- 3/11/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Broadcaster Dan Walker has said he is “glad to be alive” after being hit by a car while cycling.
The 45-year-old former BBC Breakfast presenter shared a series of images of his bloodied face while sitting in an ambulance, alongside a selfie with the NHS staff who were caring for him.
Walker tweeted: “Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken.
“Thanks to Shaun and Jamie for sorting me out and the lovely copper at the scene. This is my smiling. Thankful for our NHS.”
A number of Walkers’ colleagues and fans shared their well-wishes with him after his post.
“Oh wow! Get well soon,” Strictly Come Dancing star Motsi Mabuse replied.
ITV’s Sally Biddulph wrote: “So glad you are Ok Dan, what a shock. Rest up and feel better soon.
The 45-year-old former BBC Breakfast presenter shared a series of images of his bloodied face while sitting in an ambulance, alongside a selfie with the NHS staff who were caring for him.
Walker tweeted: “Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken.
“Thanks to Shaun and Jamie for sorting me out and the lovely copper at the scene. This is my smiling. Thankful for our NHS.”
A number of Walkers’ colleagues and fans shared their well-wishes with him after his post.
“Oh wow! Get well soon,” Strictly Come Dancing star Motsi Mabuse replied.
ITV’s Sally Biddulph wrote: “So glad you are Ok Dan, what a shock. Rest up and feel better soon.
- 2/20/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
When BBC football commentator Guy Mowbray visited Digital Spy to talk about tomorrow's Fa Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa, we couldn't resist asking him to name five of his favourite sports shows of all time.
Which programme would Mowbray resurrect? Which show is the definition of English summer? Find out below...
Guy Mowbray looks ahead to the Fa Cup final on BBC: 'It's still the best competition to me'
1. Match of the Day
"Match of the Day is top obviously, because I've been working on it for 11 years!
"I grew up watching it. My first memories of football were on it. So that's without a doubt the best - the longest-running consecutive television programme, not just sport. 50 years of consecutive broadcast."
2. Grandstand
"I've got to put Grandstand up there as well. I would love to see Grandstand on now.
"I grew up watching Grandstand, and I used to...
Which programme would Mowbray resurrect? Which show is the definition of English summer? Find out below...
Guy Mowbray looks ahead to the Fa Cup final on BBC: 'It's still the best competition to me'
1. Match of the Day
"Match of the Day is top obviously, because I've been working on it for 11 years!
"I grew up watching it. My first memories of football were on it. So that's without a doubt the best - the longest-running consecutive television programme, not just sport. 50 years of consecutive broadcast."
2. Grandstand
"I've got to put Grandstand up there as well. I would love to see Grandstand on now.
"I grew up watching Grandstand, and I used to...
- 5/29/2015
- Digital Spy
If you're not that into football, you might want to avoid BBC channels on Saturday, May 30.
The BBC has announced plans to devote a whole day to Fa Cup final coverage, bringing back its tradition of dedicated programming for the football event.
Build-up to the big kick-off will include special editions of Pointless, Saturday Kitchen and TOTP2, as well as special content on Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.
Arsenal will face off against Aston Villa on BBC One from 5.15pm, with live build-up from Gary Lineker on Match of the Day at 3.55pm.
Danny Cohen, the BBC's director of television, said: "The BBC has delivered so much unique Fa Cup programming to audiences since its return to BBC TV this season, it's only fitting to end the competition on such a high."
The full list of highlights is as follows:
BBC Breakfast (6.30am - 10am, BBC One)
Fa...
The BBC has announced plans to devote a whole day to Fa Cup final coverage, bringing back its tradition of dedicated programming for the football event.
Build-up to the big kick-off will include special editions of Pointless, Saturday Kitchen and TOTP2, as well as special content on Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.
Arsenal will face off against Aston Villa on BBC One from 5.15pm, with live build-up from Gary Lineker on Match of the Day at 3.55pm.
Danny Cohen, the BBC's director of television, said: "The BBC has delivered so much unique Fa Cup programming to audiences since its return to BBC TV this season, it's only fitting to end the competition on such a high."
The full list of highlights is as follows:
BBC Breakfast (6.30am - 10am, BBC One)
Fa...
- 5/19/2015
- Digital Spy
Anthony Devlin/Pa Wire
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted he was “disappointed” and “surprised” with club captain Fabricio Coloccini’s bizarre open letter to supporters this week urging them to “support the team” during their crucial Premier League run in.
Sections of the Newcastle fanbase have protested against owner Mike Ashley in recent weeks and even staged a boycott of the club’s 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park last month.
Yet John Carver’s side have lost eight games in a row for the first time in the club’s Premier League history and the Magpies are just two points and three places above Sunderland, who are 18th, with three games remaining.
Gareth Copley/Pa Wire
And Shearer, who scored a club-record 206 goals in 405 appearances for Newcastle between 1996 and 2006, does not support the decision of the Magpies skipper to write to the support base,...
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted he was “disappointed” and “surprised” with club captain Fabricio Coloccini’s bizarre open letter to supporters this week urging them to “support the team” during their crucial Premier League run in.
Sections of the Newcastle fanbase have protested against owner Mike Ashley in recent weeks and even staged a boycott of the club’s 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park last month.
Yet John Carver’s side have lost eight games in a row for the first time in the club’s Premier League history and the Magpies are just two points and three places above Sunderland, who are 18th, with three games remaining.
Gareth Copley/Pa Wire
And Shearer, who scored a club-record 206 goals in 405 appearances for Newcastle between 1996 and 2006, does not support the decision of the Magpies skipper to write to the support base,...
- 5/8/2015
- by Chris Waugh
- Obsessed with Film
Noel Gallagher is a man who always has something to say - so he should feel right at home on Match of the Day 2.
The High Flying Birds frontman and life-long Manchester City fan will join the show's regulars this weekend as a guest pundit - so consider this your 'Sunday Morning Evening Call'.
Gallagher will host a feature on his team's fixture against Newcastle United - if it doesn't work out for the Blues at the Etihad, he might be left asking 'Where Did It All Go Wrong', naturally.
The former Oasis star will also offer considered observations on Sunday's fixtures - Southampton v Liverpool, Everton v Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham - giving him a national platform to 'Go Let It Out' (ahem).
Gallagher has appeared on BBC Sport before, interviewing former City striker Mario Balotelli for Football Focus in 2012.
Balotelli reportedly insisted that Gallagher conducted the 15-minute interview,...
The High Flying Birds frontman and life-long Manchester City fan will join the show's regulars this weekend as a guest pundit - so consider this your 'Sunday Morning Evening Call'.
Gallagher will host a feature on his team's fixture against Newcastle United - if it doesn't work out for the Blues at the Etihad, he might be left asking 'Where Did It All Go Wrong', naturally.
The former Oasis star will also offer considered observations on Sunday's fixtures - Southampton v Liverpool, Everton v Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham - giving him a national platform to 'Go Let It Out' (ahem).
Gallagher has appeared on BBC Sport before, interviewing former City striker Mario Balotelli for Football Focus in 2012.
Balotelli reportedly insisted that Gallagher conducted the 15-minute interview,...
- 2/20/2015
- Digital Spy
The acting legends head to the BBC's Football Focus to apply their collective soothsaying to this week's fixtures, with some odd predictions
Sylvester Stallone may have kicked his way to freedom in Escape to Victory, and De Niro briefly fielded a charity team for his Tribeca Film Festival in 2012, but two of Hollywood's biggest hitters have shown they still have a long way to go before they understand the beautiful game.
The two filmed an interview for BBC One's Football Focus, in which they predicted the results of the weekend's fixtures. There are some interesting choices. Tottenham may have lost to Arsenal last week, but are still riding high following the departure of Andre Villa-Boas and decisive defeats of Manchester United and Stoke – but Sly and Bobby have them down to lose at home to Crystal Palace, who lie third from bottom in the Premiership. Man City are predicted to lose to Newcastle,...
Sylvester Stallone may have kicked his way to freedom in Escape to Victory, and De Niro briefly fielded a charity team for his Tribeca Film Festival in 2012, but two of Hollywood's biggest hitters have shown they still have a long way to go before they understand the beautiful game.
The two filmed an interview for BBC One's Football Focus, in which they predicted the results of the weekend's fixtures. There are some interesting choices. Tottenham may have lost to Arsenal last week, but are still riding high following the departure of Andre Villa-Boas and decisive defeats of Manchester United and Stoke – but Sly and Bobby have them down to lose at home to Crystal Palace, who lie third from bottom in the Premiership. Man City are predicted to lose to Newcastle,...
- 1/10/2014
- by Ben Beaumont-Thomas
- The Guardian - Film News
Ian Wright has been appointed co-host of BBC Radio 5 live's 606 programme for the 2013/14 season.
The former Arsenal striker will present the live football phone-in show with Kelly Cates on Sundays.
Wright - who previously worked as a pundit on Match of the Day - said he was pleased to be back on the BBC.
"There will be lots to talk about and a lot of divided opinion," he said. "For me, it's all about the fans and what the fans think. I like to hear all sorts of opinions, everyone is entitled to one."
Cates - daughter of Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish - said of Wright: "As well as having been a brilliant footballer, he's a real fan of the game."
"You don't know what somebody's going to ask," she continued, "what point somebody's going to make, which way the conversation is going to go.
"When it does get heated and it does get passionate,...
The former Arsenal striker will present the live football phone-in show with Kelly Cates on Sundays.
Wright - who previously worked as a pundit on Match of the Day - said he was pleased to be back on the BBC.
"There will be lots to talk about and a lot of divided opinion," he said. "For me, it's all about the fans and what the fans think. I like to hear all sorts of opinions, everyone is entitled to one."
Cates - daughter of Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish - said of Wright: "As well as having been a brilliant footballer, he's a real fan of the game."
"You don't know what somebody's going to ask," she continued, "what point somebody's going to make, which way the conversation is going to go.
"When it does get heated and it does get passionate,...
- 8/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Manchester United Legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dismissed Manchester City as “Manchester United’s Little Brother” ahead of this weekend’s crunch top of the table clash between the two derby rivals.
He went on to goad City by claiming they wouldn’t “ever take their little brother’s place.”
Speaking to Football Focus, the Norwegian, who bagged 126 goals in 366 appearances in an 11-year career at Old Trafford, said:
“It’s always this thing about being the big brother and the little brother coming to try to overtake the big brother.
“That always happens in families and in clubs – the young player hoping to take the old player’s position – and City are hoping to overtake United. I don’t think they’ll ever be able to.”
Manchester United are top of the Barclays Premier League by three points, whilst City trail by three points in second place. A win...
He went on to goad City by claiming they wouldn’t “ever take their little brother’s place.”
Speaking to Football Focus, the Norwegian, who bagged 126 goals in 366 appearances in an 11-year career at Old Trafford, said:
“It’s always this thing about being the big brother and the little brother coming to try to overtake the big brother.
“That always happens in families and in clubs – the young player hoping to take the old player’s position – and City are hoping to overtake United. I don’t think they’ll ever be able to.”
Manchester United are top of the Barclays Premier League by three points, whilst City trail by three points in second place. A win...
- 12/8/2012
- by Joseph Dempsey
- Obsessed with Film
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