{"id":40221,"date":"2026-07-23T21:00:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/23\/bbc-cancels-popular-program-after-presenter-makes-very-sad-announcement-soccer-sports\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T21:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:00:35","slug":"bbc-cancels-popular-program-after-presenter-makes-very-sad-announcement-soccer-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/23\/bbc-cancels-popular-program-after-presenter-makes-very-sad-announcement-soccer-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC cancels popular program after presenter makes ‘very sad’ announcement | Soccer | Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"


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BBC commentator Alistair Bruce Ball has revealed that the FPL pod, also known as Fantasy 606, has been taken off the air by the broadcaster. The presenter has made a “very sad” announcement following the launch of the Fantasy Premier League for the 2026\/27 season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bruce Ball joins Chris Sutton and Statman Dave every game week to discuss all things FPL and has recorded 108 episodes, all of which are still available on BBC Sound. The news comes after it was revealed last month that the BBC would cut commissioning hours of programming by up to 150 hours by the end of the 2027\/28 financial year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It was also reported that chief content officer Kate Phillips told staff that between 350 and 400 hours of audio content would be cut.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In his tribute to Fantasy 606, Bruce Ball paid tribute to his colleagues and viewers, saying: “With the new season of #FPL just around the corner, I’m extremely disappointed to say that Fantasy 606, and more recently the FPL pod on BBC Sport, won’t be returning. @chris_sutton73 @StatmanDave and I absolutely love doing this show and it’s the contribution of our amazing listeners who really make it happen.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Thank you for listening, for emailing me, for sending me poems, for sending me songs, for managing my team of listeners. I’m going to miss you so much! Great producers, Kelly, Grace, Chris, Jamie, Joe, Harrison, Jack, Emily, Metin, Elliott, Michael. But my biggest thanks go to Clough, Taylor and Dave for making the last six years such a laugh.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“I’ll continue with the BBC Sports League and will post the code once it’s up and running. So in closing, good luck, Chris, and good luck Dave.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Former Blackburn Rovers and Celtic striker Chris Sutton sent a similar message. He wrote, “Sad news regarding Fantasy 606.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“A big thank you to all the contestants, listeners, contributors and emails. Well done Bruce and Dave for your patience and excellence. Well done Clough and Taylor for finishing as winners. Good luck next season.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bruce Ball went on to express his gratitude for the response to the news. “I was really touched by all the reactions to today’s news about the FPL pod and the small role it plays in people’s lives,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Thank you. I would have loved to continue, but I’m really disappointed. I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to participate in the #FPL fix next season.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Many fans of the podcast expressed their disappointment. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame, but I enjoy this nonsense every week,\u201d one supporter said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Another social media user commented: “This is such a shame! Great podcast. What a strange decision by whoever made it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Another fan said: “This is terrible news, this was a must listen podcast for me.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Yeah, I miss hearing FPL’s opinion,” said another. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long journey and you all have done a great job.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI was so disappointed when I read this!\u201d exclaimed a fan. \u201cI have had many health issues over the past 18 months and hearing your stories has really made me feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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