BBC snooker presenter Ray Stubbs is leaving to present Premier League football on ESPN.
Stubbs has worked for the BBC for 25 years. In the 1980s, he was a producer and put together the famous 'Way We Were' montage featuring the way players had changed over the years.
He began presenting snooker in 2002 and was the BBC's main presenter at the Crucible this year as Hazel Irvine was on maternity leave.
26 comments:
That's the best news I've heard for ages!
Ashame he was better at the snooker than Hazel Irvine who is beginning to grate slightly. Also big loss as regards to the Darts as his chemistry with Bobby George will be difficult to replace.
leaving us with Rishi Persaud....
yes brilliant news NOT
Are you free for october, december, january and april afternoons, Dave? you would get my vote
"big loss as regards to the Darts as his chemistry with Bobby George will be difficult to replace"
You mean there are actually people who think that? Hahaha
Gutted to see him leave. Not sure BBC has any presenter who really loves the sport. I suspect a bigger role will now be offered to John Parrott. What would you all think about that?
Good move for him, I would say. Another negative for the BBC's Snooker coverage following the demotion of Clive Everton.
Well I thought Ray did a good job with the snooker, as he did with football and darts.
It's a shame to see him go, though I don't blame him for taking up his new role with ESPN.
Everyone has their own view on TV pundits, but Ray is a lovely bloke and I wish him all the best at ESPN
Here is want i want, Parrott as presenter Davis, Doherty, White and Hendry alternating in the Studio. Of Course Clive as no.1 commentator as well now that would be perfect.
More chance that it will be hazel and rishi
Hendry in the studio....
he wont go anywhere near a tournament as soon as he gets knocked out hes home dont want to see others picking up his money.
Hi Dave,
I only hope that Hazel - who has a good relationship with the others; and knows what she is talking about - stays with the BBC.
Because, I cannot stand anymore ex-sport players becoming the head presenter (only cricket at the moment...but spreading) and regardless, Rishi should stick to what he knows (just about) best: racing. Otherwise contracts will disappear.
Stubbs had a fantastic laid back way with him, in a similar vain to the late David Vine. Hope it works well for him...and like I said before...ESPN are in the hunt for the Snooker style sports allegedly.
Thanks, Joe
PS - Well done Walden for his General Cup win!
Snooker (and the BBC) should get some glamorous presenter to replace Stubbs. Someone who's pleasing on the eye.
Sharon Davies would be cool, as would Gabby Logan. Even Sue Barker would do.
Ray Stubbs is one of TV's good guys- I wish him all the best at ESPN.
There is an awful lot of misguided opinions on here about this. Parrott for presenter??!! Gabby Logan??!! Sharon Davies??!! Hendry and White in the studio??!
We need a professional in charge, not an ex-sportsman/woman. Hazel is ok and personally I like Rishi, he'd be and has been the first to admit that he's on a learning curve with snooker and yes, sometimes it shows. But he's keen and likeable.
Stubbs has been the best presenter since Dougie Donnelly decided to go (or was pushed, not sure).
But some of the suggestions on here, dear me, if you're not careful they'll give this to Linekar, my woodentop. I'm sure he'd be up for it too. Be careful what you wish for.
"Hazel knows what she is talking about"?
What channel have you been watching? She knew nothing about the game when she started and seems to have learned nothing since. But people big her up anyway because she's a woman.
And as for bringing in someone who's "pleasing on the eye", if that's what you want turn over to MTV.
Proper snooker fans would rather have someone who actually knows about snooker, talks sense to the pundits and can get through a sentence without giggling for no reason.
Gary Lineker may not be everybody's cup of tea but he is high profile and, more importantly, has an extensive knowledge of snooker. Like most people on here I watch hours and hours of snooker coverage on the BBC and I thought Ray stubbs was appalling as a presenter. The only questions he ever asked to S.Davis and J.Parrott were:
'What's your assessment of...' or
'What's your analysis of...'
I'm not a big fan of Hazel but at least she knows what she's talking about.
There's no way in a million years Gary Lineker will present the snooker
I'd imagine it will now be fronted by Hazel and Rishi
"Gary Lineker has an extensive knowledge of snooker"???
What on earth is that based on?
I know he can play a bit, but whoever wrote that, I'll make a deal with you. Ask Lineker a hundred difficult questions about snooker, and if he gets a quarter of them right I'll pay for him to present it myself.
Presenters get a lot of critisism for no reason. All of them are good, of they weren't then they wouldn't be on TV. It isn't an easy job. Some people should relax and enjoy the snooker without being obsessed with presenters. Ray is a very good presenter and I wish him luck in his new job.
"Ask Lineker a hundred difficult questions about snooker, and if he gets a quarter of them right I'll pay for him to present it myself."
This is a ridiculous thing to say, firstly, what constitutes a difficult question? And how do you know he wouldn't get a quarter right? I wouldn't expect Lineker to do the job, but the point is that if he did - he would do it well - and would be better at it than Ray Stubbs.
He's best friends with Willie Thorne and has made several century breaks!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Friends-Official-Lineker-Willie/dp/B00008T4B2
The reason people are suggesting Lineker is because he's big mates with Willie Thorne (or at least used to be).
That doesn't mean he neccessarily knows enough about the game to present it (not that he'll be given the job).
It's most likely to be Hazel and Rishi. I like Hazel, but would like someone new to be brought in as second presenter.
Chris
i disagree!
i am not obsessed or otherwise, i just like to comment.
you comment that RAY is a good presenter and so, fairly, i am allowed to comment that i think he is not.
"All of them are good, if they weren't then they wouldn't be on TV."
Or to put it another way, nobody has ever been given a job they weren't good at.
Which is obviously true.
Lineker won't have the time with his football commitments. Otherwise he would be preferable to Hazel.
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