GAME OVER

Question of Sport axed after 53yrs as viewers switch off

- NICOLA METHVEN

In its 53 years, it hosted sporting royalty and even a real princess as viewers were treated to a mixture of knowledge and fun...

But bosses have now blown the final whistle on A Question of Sport amid plunging ratings.

It marks the end of the world's longest-running sports quiz, which in its heyday was one of TV's most popular shows.

In 1987 an episode with Princess Anne as a guest pulled in 19million viewers.

The axe falls three years after popular presenter Sue Barker was dropped and replaced with comedian Paddy McGuinness.

Former tennis star Sue, 67, had hosted the show since 1997 and the move did not go well with fans.

Many felt that McGuinness was not the right choice as he did not have a sporting background.

Long-running captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell were also ditched in favour of Sam Quek as the first female team captain and Ugo Monye.