Sue Barker was left "slightly damaged" after being axed from 'A Question Of Sport' after 24 years.
Sue Barker, Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson were all let go from 'A Question of Sport'.
The 66-year-old TV presenter was given the boot by BBC bosses back in 2020 along with team captains Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson after a decision was made to give the show's line-up a refresh and Sue has now opened up about the experience - admitting she felt "wretchedly sad" and insisting it could have been handled better by those in charge.
In extracts from her book 'Calling The Shots: My Autobiography' published by Dailymail.co.uk, she explained: "After 24 years in the hotseat, I was sacked as the host of the BBC quiz show A Question Of Sport — and I'm afraid that has left me slightly damaged.
"Don't get me wrong: I had no problem with being replaced. Everyone has their day. Producers must always have the right to refresh a programme and take it in a new direction.
"It was the way it was handled. It taught me there is actually no way of leaving a role in a nice, pleasant and helpful manner, with your head held high."
Sue went on to explain rumours about a line-up change had been going around since 2016 but her contract was subsequently extended and she believed the team would be kept on again beyond 2020 so she was shocked when she was called into a meeting and told she had been sacked.
The TV star aded: "With me, there was a bit of 'We love the show and you've been an amazing host, but . . .' I'd been waiting for that 'but'.
"We were being sacked. I accepted their decision, though I couldn't help feeling wretchedly sad. The boys were devastated, too."
Sue claims BBC bosses didn't get in touch in the following weeks until news of their departure was about to break and she was asked to sign a statement stating the three stars had decided to "step aside" and she refused.
She went on: "As we hadn't decided to step aside at all, we point-blank refused to sign the statement. Next, I was asked to announce that I was leaving for the good of the show. I was astounded. Was that because I was too old or not good enough? Either way, it was insulting. Did they actually expect me to sack myself?
"I told the BBC to own their decision and declare publicly that they wanted to refresh the show; I wasn't going to lie to make it easier for them."
Sue claims she was later offered her job back, but she declined and now says the way the issue was handled "stung more" than the actual departure.
The former tennis player has since decided to step away from all her BBC presenting duties after covering this year's Wimbledon tennis tournament.
She said in a statement: "What a wonderful time I’ve had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world. "I will miss it terribly but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me. I’ve worked with the best of the best."
Sue has previously hosted coverage of events including hosting the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Athletics Championships, the London Marathon, the Grand National, Royal Ascot and 'Sports Personality of the Year'.
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