Alex Scott has been the host of Football Focus for almost five years and despite the show being axed she will remain the ‘heart’ of the BBC’s football coverage
Alex Scott remains a BBC staple (Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
The BBC is set to announce a “very exciting new project” with Alex Scott after sacking Football Focus. It was confirmed on Thursday that the iconic Saturday program will end next month at the end of the current Premier League season.
Scott, 41, strengthened his broadcasting resume by replacing Dan Walker as host of the show in 2021 after a glittering playing career with Arsenal and England. The BBC has confirmed that she will continue to be “at the heart” of its soccer coverage, and says she is also preparing new projects.
BBC Director of Sport Alex Kagelski confirmed the cancellation of Football Focus, saying: “Alex Scott is one of our best presenters, hugely popular across the men’s and women’s games, and plays a huge part in our present and future.”
“Not only will she remain at the heart of our sporting activities at both this year’s Men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but she will also continue to star in the Women’s Super League and BBC Sports Personality of the Year. We are also working on a very exciting new project with her, of which we will announce more shortly.”
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Scott is a pioneer in the company. In 2018, she became the first female football pundit for the BBC’s Men’s World Cup.
Sadly, Scott’s rise was marred by constant misogynistic abuse. “There were a lot of tweets saying I should iron and cook at home,” the former defender, who made 140 senior appearances for his country, recalled in 2022.
“I don’t care about those things, but I have to take them seriously because sometimes people threaten my life. It’s my responsibility to change perceptions by sitting in that chair and talking about football.”
Alex Scott unveils Football Focus from 2021 (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
However, she will no longer be airing “Football Focus,” which has been on the air for 52 years. Kay Jelski added: “Football Focus is a hugely important program in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the story of the game to generations of viewers.
“This decision comes ahead of the BBC’s wider savings announcement last week and reflects the continued changes in the way viewers engage with football and our commitment to evolving the way we deliver content to fans wherever they are.”
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