Football Focus to end after 52 years

Launched in 1974, the Saturday lunchtime television programme provided fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game before the weekend's fixtures.

Changing audience habits have meant a growth in the use of digital platforms and on-demand to get the same pre-match content.

As a result, linear television viewing figures have gradually declined since 2018.

Football Focus will run until the end of the season.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike and Manchester United boss Michael Carrick are among the players and coaches to have featured on The Football Interview this season.

Football Focus started out as part of Grandstand, with Sam Leitch presenting a pre-cursor called Football Preview.

It was renamed Football Focus, with Bob Wilson becoming an iconic figure. After first taking on presenting duties in 1974, the former Arsenal goalkeeper stayed in the role for 20 years.

Steve Rider, Gary Lineker, Ray Stubbs, Manish Bhasin and Dan Walker - for 12 years - all had stints in the chair.

"Alex Scott is one of our finest presenters, is hugely popular across the men's and women's game and is a big part of our present and future," added Kay-Jelski.

"We are also working on a very exciting new project with her - more to come on that soon."

Scott said being part of the programme had been "incredibly special" and it was an "honour" to have been presenter for five years.

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