Sue Barker, 68, makes feelings clear on possible Wimbledon comeback after brutal BBC sacking: 'Didn't want to leave'
Sue Barker left the BBC back in 2022 but returned to Wimbledon on Thursday
PA
Sue Barker, 68, has addressed the possibility of returning to helm the BBC's coverage at Wimbledon.
In 2022, Barker made a tearful exit from the role in front of a sell-out Wimbledon crowd as she bid farewell to a gig she'd held for 30 years.
Barker has admitted that she ultimately decided to leave Wimbledon coverage but it came in the wake of her sacking from quiz show, Question of Sport.
Alongside Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson, the trio were axed and replaced by Paddy McGuinness, Sam Quek and Ugo Monye in a major revamp for the show - which has since been shelved altogether.
In terms of Wimbledon, Clare Balding has often taken the reins of proceedings since Barker left, although the 68-year-old did make a welcome return to the spotlight to honour Andy Murray earlier this month.
Barker still attends the tournament as a fan but when asked recently if she'd ever return to present the coverage, Barker admitted she wouldn't take much convincing.
Sue Barker returned to Wimbledon this year briefly to speak to Andy Murray
PA"Yes, I would. I loved it," she told the Mirror. "I loved the people and I didn’t want to leave.
"But you start hearing rumours of what is happening and [the BBC] obviously wants the next generation, and when you start hearing those rumours you think, 'Maybe it’s time to get out while they still want me rather than being shoved out of the back door'."
The murmurs around her reminded Barker of her brutal Question of Sport sacking, something she didn't want to be on the receiving end of again and has admitted the BBC could've handled "better".
"The sacking from A Question Of Sport hurt so much that I thought, 'I don’t want to go through that again'," she added to the publication.
Paddy McGuinness was sacked from the BBC's Question of Sport in 2021
GETTY"I wanted to get out at the top," she continued before revealing her axing from QoS hasn't altered the bond she shared with Dawson and Tufnell.
"We are doing the Question Of Sport theatre show next year. I have my WhatsApp group with Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson. We’ll be friends for life."
Barker already made a return of sorts on Thursday evening to speak with former champion Murray following his last ever match in the arena.
He and brother Jamie bowed out of the men's doubles tournament and emotions ran high soon after as he bid farewell to the crowd.
Barker was on hand to speak with Murray, admitting she wouldn't have missed it for the world.
And just moments after seeing her chemistry with Murray and handling of the occasion, viewers fumed at the BBC for ever letting her go.
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Sue Barker (middle) with former Question of Sport captains Ally McCoist and John Parrott
GETTYOn X, formerly Twitter, complaints soon rolled in, including one viewer who fumed: "Just watched the match & wonderful interview by Sue Barker. She's the best. BBC made a big mistake.
"BBC treated Sue Barker dreadfully," a second echoed in support of the Question of Sport host.
And a third pleaded: "BRING BACK SUE BARKER BBC.
"Treble her salary but get her back. Grovel if you have to just do it." (sic)