Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness has been named as the new host of BBC One's A Question of Sport, joining new team captains Sam Quek and Ugo Monye.
McGuinness, former England hockey international Quek and former England rugby international Monye will begin filming in the coming weeks. Fans have been promised "some new elements" when the long-running show return to BBC One later this year. McGuinness, Quek and Monye take over from host Sue Barker and captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell.
A Question of Sport welcomes its new Host and Captains...@PaddyMcGuinness@SamanthaQuek@ugomonye
— A Question of Sport (@QuestionofSport) July 7, 2021
Let the games begin! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/ROc15x23gV
"I love the fiercely competitive nature of sports stars coupled with having a laugh," said McGuinness. "That's why A Question of Sport has always been one of my favourite shows and having been weaned on it from an early age, this is an honour and opportunity I'm certainly not taking lightly.
"I grew up with both Davids [David Vine and David Coleman] hosting but it's Sue [Barker] who made this show her own. She will always be A Question of Sport icon, but I'll try my best to stamp my own mark on it."
"I've watched A Question of Sport since I was a little girl and my ambition to appear on the show came true five years ago - but I never thought that I would one day be a captain," said Quek. "And the first female captain in the show's 50-year history too.
"I have some huge shoes to fill as Matt [Dawson] and Phil [Tufnell] are two of the greatest captains to have ever appeared on the show but it's thanks to trailblazers like Sue Barker that I now have this opportunity. I'll give it my all and make sure I enjoy every minute of the ride. Oh, and Ugo… I'm coming for you!!"
"It's a show I have watched my entire life, so to be named as a captain is truly humbling," added Monye. "A Question of Sport has had some phenomenal team captains from rugby over the years with legends like Bill Beaumont and more recently Matt Dawson, so I'm looking forward to hopefully adding to that list.
"I'd like to thank Sue Barker, Phil Tufnell, and Matt Dawson for making the show what it is today. I'm hoping to be as welcoming as they have been with guests, as competitive and have just as much fun!"
