A Question of Sport: Paddy McGuinness replaces Sue Barker as host and new team captains revealed

TV favourite A Question of Sport will celebrate its 51st anniversary on the BBC with a new presenter and two new team captains.

The long-running British sports quiz show, which began in 1970, has ditched Sue Barker, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell for a new set of regulars.

Paddy McGuinness (Top Gear, Take Me Out, Phoenix Nights) is the new host, becoming the fourth presenter of the series after Barker, David Vine and David Coleman.

He’ll be joined by two new team captains, Olympic hockey star Sam Quek and England rugby player Ugo Monye.

The new show will retain A Question of Sport’s most popular challenges and rounds but will also introduce some new elements to the format.

Paddy McGuinness said: “I love the fiercely competitive nature of sports stars coupled with having a laugh. 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 hosting but it’s Sue 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.”

Who is Question of Sport’s new presenter Paddy McGuinness?

McGuinness is part of the successful new lineup of BBC motoring series Top Gear, alongside Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris.

He also hosts popular BBC One Saturday night gameshows I Can See Your Voice and Catchpoint. 

He started his television career playing Paddy the doorman in That Peter Kay Thing which led to the hit spin-off series Phoenix Nights before he took on hosting duties on hit dating show Take Me Out.

Who is Sam Quek?

Sam Quek is a former international hockey player who won more than 120 caps at the highest level and took home an Olympic gold in Rio as part of the victorious Great Britain team of 2016. 

Since retiring from hockey, Quek has become a versatile sports presenter hosting the flagship 606 football show for Radio 5Live and NFL coverage on the BBC plus a variety of other sports including rugby union and horse racing for other broadcasters.

She has also been a finalist in both I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity MasterChef.

The new team captain said working on the show was her “dream job”. 

“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 and Phil 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!”

Who is Ugo Monye?

Ugo Monye is a former England international rugby union player who was the leading try scorer for the British & Irish Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa.

He starred for club and country from 2002 until his retirement in 2015, winning 14 caps and scoring two tries for England and helping Harlequins to trophy success both at home and in Europe. 

Since hanging up his boots, Monye has become a well-respected rugby pundit for BT Sport and for ITV’s coverage of the Six Nations tournament and he also presents the BBC’s weekly rugby podcast. His work with BBC Radio 5Live is now branching out to cover other sports.

Talking about his new job, Monye said: “It’s an incredible honour to be selected as A Question of Sport’s team captain. It’s a show I have watched my entire life, so to be named as a captain is truly humbling. 

"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!”

Who are the past Question of Sport presenters and team captains?

After a pilot hosted by Stuart Hall, the presenters of Question of Sport have been David Vine, David Coleman and Sue Barker.

The team captains over the show’s first 50 years include:

Cliff Morgan - Rugby Union

Henry Cooper - Boxing

Fred Trueman - Cricket

Brendan Foster - Athletics

Emlyn Hughes - Football

Gareth Edwards - Rugby Union

Willie Carson - Horse Racing

Bill Beaumont - Rugby Union

Ian Botham - Cricket

John Parrott - Snooker

Ally McCoist - Football

Frankie Dettori - Horse Racing

Matt Dawson - Rugby Union

Phil Tufnell - Cricket

When does A Question of Sport start?

The new lineup begins filming this summer and the new series will air later in 2021.