TV host Tony Squires chokes back tears as he farewells viewers after his star-studded Back Page sports show was axed after almost 30 YEARS
The popular show was axed earlier this month after 29 years on the air, with Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley declaring, 'Everything has a lifespan.'
In emotional scenes, host Tony Squires choked back tears as he thanked viewers for their loyalty across almost three decades.
'I am not going to lie, it's going to be really hard to walk out tonight, but go we must,' Squires began on show number 481.
'We've been around a long time. Thank you for letting us into your lives for that stretch.
'Thank you to the more than 500 people who have taken a seat on the panel or as a guest. Thank you to sport for being the best live unscripted theatre.
'Thank you to anyone who has celebrated victory prematurely and five-putted and recorded it. Thank you so much for doing that.
'And so from everyone at The Back Page, goodbye.'
It didn't long for sports enthusiasts to vent their frustration online.
'One of the best shows on TV. Watched every Tuesday. Bizarre decision to end it,' said one on X.
'Devastated. Great show that still had fuel in the tank, in my opinion,' posted another.
'Couldn't care less about all the endless NRL and AFL shows they have on. This is the type of show there should be more of, and they (Fox Sports) are getting rid of it,' added a third.
Before Squires assumed hosting duties in March of 2013, the late Mike Gibson was the man in the hot seat, working closely with Billy Birmingham and famed reporter Peter Frilingos.
Regular recent contributors have included Ironwoman champion Candice Warner, radio identity Ryan Fitzgerald and veteran News Corp sports journalist Robert 'Crash' Craddock.
Some of the high profile guests over the years include legendary boxer Mike Tyson, three-time Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox and rising athletics star Gout Gout.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Glamorous former tennis star makes rare public appearance after remarkable recovery from health scare
She is one of the most glamorous athletes to have graced the tennis court, reaching a career-high single ranking of world No 8 and being voted the world's sexiest woman. But this week the former tennis icon was in full mom-mode as she stepped out with her brood just months after sparking fears. Earlier this year, Anna Kournikova left her fans concerned when she was spotted in a wheelchair wearing a protective boot during a rare public appearance. Yet, eight months later, there appeared to be nothing holding the sports star turned model back as she stepped out with her children in Miami Beach - without a wheelchair or a boot. In photos exclusive to the Daily Mail, the 44-year-old was captured taking her three children - twins Lucy and Nicholas, seven, and five-year-old Mary - to martial arts class. The mother-of-three's foot appeared to be in good shape as she guided her brood across the road and into the gym in the south Florida island city. Kournikova kept it casual in a white hoodie, black bike shorts and Nike sneakers, scraping her hair into a black scrunchie atop her head. Her children, meanwhile, appeared well-equipped for their karate class, carrying packed backpacks, while her eldest daughter Lucy clutched a giant fluffy teddy bear. The Russian, who retired from tennis in 2003, shares the trio of youngsters with Spanish singer and longtime partner, Enrique Iglesias. The couple, who met on the set of the hitmaker's music video for his 2001 single 'Escape,' have kept a low profile in recent years. While the 50-year-old Iglesias has been performing to his adoring fans on tour, tennis fans are only granted rare glimpses of Kournikova. But back in January, she was spotted in the wheelchair while out with loved ones at Bal Harbour, a luxurious shopping center in Miami. Kournikova was pictured wearing an orthopedic boot on her foot, suggesting she had suffered a recent injury scare but she appeared to have a clear bill of health as she surfaced out-and-about in the SoFlo neighborhood this week. Iglesias has lived in the Miami area since the late 1990s with Kournikova joining the heartthrob after the couple shacked up. And the 'Hero' singer added to their property portfolio earlier this year, purchasing another property in Bay Point, a gated community located in Miami Beach. Iglesias reportedly splashed out $6.5 million on a 'sprawling mid century' home, built in 1957, on the same block where the under the radar couple reside, Sabal Palm Road, according to the Miami Herald. The five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house is nestled in one of Miami's most sought-after communities as Kournikova and Iglesias continue to raise their children. Kournikova called time on her tennis career back in May 2003 after winning 16 career doubles titles. She reached world No 1 in doubles in November 1999, a few months after winning the Australian Open alongside partner Martina Hingis. In singles, Kournikova reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1997, becoming only the second woman in the open era to make it to the last four in her SW19 debut. She lost to eventual champion Hingis. Kournikova was then a quarterfinalist at the 2001 Australian Open, before being forced into an early retirement at just 21 years old following a series of injuries, mainly back problems. Kournikova also enjoyed the spotlight away from the court, garnering fame as a model. In 2002, she was voted the world's sexiest woman, beating the likes of Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, and was also acknowledged as the sexiest female tennis player of all time in 2010. The couple met on the set of the Spanish singer's music video for his hit 'Escape' in 2001 It was through her off-court ventures that she met Iglesias, the son of Spanish singer and former soccer star Julio Iglesias. The greatest mystery surrounding their relationship is if the couple have tied the knot or not. Iglesias previously insisted he wasn't concerned about getting married but he has also referred to Kournikova as 'my wife.' When questioned about referring to Anna as his 'wife' in 2012, he clarified: 'It was just meant to be sweet in the moment. I honestly didn't mean to confuse people. I thought it'd be easier for the audience to understand than if I said 'my girl.' 'I've never really thought marriage would make a difference. Maybe it's because I come from divorced parents, but I don't think you love someone more because of a piece of paper. 'And nowadays, it's not taboo to have kids and not be married. What makes a difference is that you're a good parent, period.'
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Australian PM Anthony Albanese channels his inner Gen Z: ‘Delulu with no solulu'
Resurfaced footage shows Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese channelling his inner Gen Z by using a popular slang word that has just been added to the Cambridge Dictionary in parliament. Appearing on the Happy Hour with Lucy and Nikki Podcast in March 2025, Mr Albanese was dared by the hosts to use the phrase 'delulu' in parliament, which he followed through with soon after. He told the speaker that the Coalition were 'delulu with no solulu' when discussing his rivals' energy and economic plan, which resulted in a mix of laughs and cheers from the chamber. On Monday (18 August), 'delulu', a play on the word delusion, was added to the Cambridge Dictionary, as part of a massive update which has seen approximately 6,000 new words added.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Reports: Mets C Francisco Alvarez (thumb) headed to IL
August 19 - New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will be placed on the injured list with a right thumb injury, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday. Alvarez sustained the injury while sliding into second base during the seventh inning of New York's 7-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in the Little League Classic. He was replaced behind the plate by Luis Torrens in the eighth. Alvarez underwent an MRI in New York on Monday while the team traveled to Washington, D.C., to prepare for Tuesday's opener of a three-game series versus the Nationals. Alvarez is no stranger to hand injuries, having missed nearly two months last season with a sprained left thumb. He also injured his left hamate bone in spring training prior to this season. The 23-year-old returned from a demotion to Triple-A Syracuse with a flourish. He is batting .323 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 21 games since being called up on July 21. Alvarez has a career average of .230 with 44 home runs and 135 RBIs in 284 games with the Mets. --Field Level Media
