Phil Tufnell reveals devastating Question of Sport blow that was sadder than being axed

The Sun

11-05-2025

PHIL Tufnell has revealed the Question of Sport blow he found more devastating than his own axing from the show.
The England cricketing legend was the victim of a BBC rebrand in 2020 that also saw fellow team captain Matt Dawson and show host Sue Barker sacked.
6
6
6
The long-running quiz show was rebooted the following year with Paddy McGuinness at the helm and hockey star Sam Quek and rugby ace Ugo Monye as captains.
However, the reboot, which for the first time in the show's history allowed non-sporting guests to take part, was shelved for good in 2023 after more than 50 years on the box.
It was a further blow for Tuffers, who had been a fan of the format since his childhood and was rooting for its continued success under the new stars.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, he said: "Sue always said you're only custodians of it. People come and go. We felt very sad when it stopped, not necessarily when we left, we'd been doing it for a long time, you can't do things forever.
"It was part of my childhood with my mum and dad and brother, we'd split up into teams and play along with it. We wanted to see the show carry on as much as anyone.
"Who knows maybe one day they might bring it back on."
The trio did get a chance to relive their time together earlier this year when they went out on the road for a live tour, though with a slightly different name for copyright reasons.
Its success was further proof that the Beeb was wrong to dismiss them from QoS.
Phil said: "We had a great time. It was Sue, Matt and Phil: The Reunion... it took us hours to think of that new title for it [laughs].
"It was really well received. I think we sold out everywhere we went. We were getting like 3,000 people there, it was wonderful. A little bit nervous at the start but it soon fell away, the reception we got was so wonderful.
Question of Sport's Phil Tufnell backs new wellbeing campaign to get people fishing
" It was great to work again with Sue and Matt. We just fell back into it straight away. We're great friends anyway and it was a pleasure to go around having a laugh, and we're going to do it next year as well. The reception was so good we're doing it again next year."
Since his cricket playing days ended in 2002, Phil has become something of a reality TV veteran.
He won the nation's hearts when he was crowned King of the Jungle in the second series of I'm A Celebrity and returned to the show in 2023 in the celebratory All Stars version.
In between his two wilderness stints he took part in Strictly Come Dancing and The Jump.
He was banned from skiing in his sporting heyday, which made the prospect of taking on the death-defying Channel 4 slope all the more daunting.
The show was famously shelved after a string of celebrities suffered serious injuries including fractures and dislocations.
He says: "They asked me to do the The Jump, crikey having never skied before that was terrifying.
We're great friends anyway and it was a pleasure to go around having a laugh, and we're going to do it next year as well.
Phil Tufnell
"We weren't allowed to go skiing in our contract, for sportsmen, because you can break your bloody leg or something so I was a bit of a novice, but I soon had to learn and that was a bit of a worry.
"But again, great fun. I met some wonderful people and had a great time, a laugh and learned how to ski a little bit."
While there's not much he'd say no to, Tuffers draws the line at nudity, and there have been offers.
He says: "I won't necessarily do anything naked [laughs], though things have come in. I don't know about that, I'm getting on a bit now, I'm not quite at my fighting weight, but most things I'll have a look at."
Celebrity Big Brother has had a major comeback after being rebooted by ITV and Tuffers says he'd have leapt at a stint in the house a few years back, however, the idea isn't as appealing now he's 59.
"A few years ago I'd have jumped at it, but never say never," he says. "These things pop across your desk, you always have a look and weigh up if you fancy doing it."
In a departure from TV, Phil has now teamed up with Andy's Man Club in a new Environment Agency rod licence campaign to highlight the mental wellbeing benefits of fishing communities.
6
It's a pastime he's loved since his days as an England cricketer when he would escape the stresses of professional sport by wiling away the hours by a lake.
"Fishing has always been that perfect escape when I need to switch off and clear my head," he says. "Nothing beats being out by the water with old mates or just enjoying some peace and quiet.
"There's always someone wandering around and to have a chat. Everyone's very forthcoming with tips and help."
And the serenity and scenery is just as uplifting and good for the soul as the friendly company and shared tales.
He continues: "The places you go are wonderful. A bit of peace and quiet, lovely wildlife and you get away from the hustle and bustle and the car noises and what have you and just sit there with a couple of mates, have a chat about the football, have a chat about what's going on in your life, have a chat about the cricket and just unwind.
"That's why it's key to buy your rod licence. The money gets reinvested back into the sport to keep the environments and fisheries looking beautiful and well stocked with fish.
"When you're sort of in that environment and that sort of safe space so to speak, it's a lot more easy just to feel that you can open up with a couple of mates."
And he's not the only one to have those views, with The Angling Trust finding 80 percent of anglers agree community is essential for mental wellbeing, while 90 percent are more likely to discuss personal struggles while fishing with friends or relatives.
Stuart Fawcett, South Area Manager at Andy's Man Club adds: 'The work we do at Andy's Man Club is rooted in providing men with a supportive community and all the benefits that come with it. This is why it made perfect sense for us to take part in this campaign to highlight the community and wellbeing benefits of fishing.
"I've been an angler since childhood, but in my adult life, it has allowed me to forge meaningful friendships, which isn't always easy for men.
"I remember having difficult weeks and receiving a phone call from a fishing buddy inviting me out for a spot of fishing. It was exactly the kind of support I needed at that time, without having to ask for it.
"That's what's so key about the fishing community: it provides companionship and a shared interest that is essential for our wellbeing.'
Independent research conducted by The Angling Trust on behalf of The Environment Agency, with a sample of 501 UK anglers aged 18+, conducted with Angling Trust audiences between Friday 4th April 2025 and Tuesday 8 th April 2025.
The Angling Trust abides by the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.