Latest news with #SteveRider
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Steve Rider's 20-year grudge with Gary Lineker after ex-Match of the Day host 'took his job' - as iconic broadcaster sends parting shot following retirement
Broadcasting great Steve Rider has sensationally claimed that former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker 'took his job'. Rider's 48-year-career in the industry came to an end on Sunday as he was part of ITV4's presentation team for the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park. He became a familiar face on British TV screens after becoming a regular presenter on BBC 's Grandstand. Rider also led coverage for rugby, golf, motorsports and rowing events for the BBC, along with Sports Personality of the Year. He then left the BBC in 2005 to join ITV, where he became the anchor of their F1 and World Cup coverage. Now his feud with ex-Match of the Day anchor Lineker, which stretches back two decades, can be revealed. When he returned to ITV in 2005, Rider was said to be unimpressed by the BBC's decision to replace him as its leading golf presenter with Gary Lineker. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: 'Most other observers knew that Gary was the wrong man in the wrong job.' Rider also expressed surprise at Lineker's zeal to become involved with politics while working for the organisation. He added: 'To put forward his opinions so energetically, you need to step outside the framework of the BBC. 'That message was never convincingly conveyed to him by the BBC, and that's where they are at fault. 'He needed people looking after him before he pressed the button on some fairly volatile retweets. He needed to be saved from himself. So, there was a kind of inevitability about it.' Those comments come a decade after he described the R&A - golf's governing body - of being 'pompous' and acting as though they were 'superior beings'. Further scathing comments to The Golf Paper in 2015 saw him state: 'For four years, the R&A and most other observers knew that Gary was the wrong man in the wrong job. Hazel Irvine has just delivered once again at the Open presentation skills of the highest quality. 'Not many people can do that and Gary certainly came up short. 'Roger Mosey, the head of sport, knew Gary was a golf fanatic and was further encouraged by Gary apparently volunteering for the Masters vacancy within a few minutes of my exit from Television Centre. 'But if Mosey thought long and hard before offering Gary the golf job, it's even more baffling. Match of the Day is scripted and rehearsed.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I was replaced on the BBC by Gary Lineker and haven't spoken to him since, I knew he was the wrong man in the wrong job
GARY LINEKER was the wrong man to present the BBC's live golf coverage, claims the man he replaced. Steve Rider, who hung up his mic over the weekend, left the Beeb in 2005 to join ITV. 3 3 With Rider, now 75, having presented the BBC 's live golf coverage prior to his exit, the Corporation opted to replace him with Match of the Day host Lineker. Rider initially kept quiet about his replacement, until in 2015 when Lineker took a swipe at the R&A in St Andrews. The former England captain was upset with the R&A's decision to flog rights to the Open, previously held by the Beeb, to Sky Sports. Lineker called the R&A "pompous" and "superior" - which Rider took issue with. The veteran presenter called Lineker at the time "the wrong man in the wrong job", before adding: "Gary was honest enough to step aside from the golf, but his attack on the R&A was sour and misguided in the extreme." Rider has now claimed that Lineker "blundered" into politics during an interview with the Telegraph. Reflecting on the presenter's controversial BBC exit, Rider added: "To put forward his opinions so energetically, you need to step outside the framework of the BBC. "That message was never convincingly conveyed to him by the BBC, and that's where they are at fault. 3 "He needed people looking after him before he pressed the button on some fairly volatile retweets. He needed to be saved from himself. So, there was a kind of inevitability about it." Rider has not spoken to Lineker since criticising his swipe at the R&A a decade ago. During his stint with the BBC, Rider hosted Sports Personality of the Year alongside Des Lynam. Taking aim at the current incarnation of SPOTY, the outgoing ITV stalwart said: "The commercial aspect took over. "The thinking was, 'Let's take it to a 5,000-seat arena with a big shiny floor'. It killed the chemistry. "Unfortunately, this happened just as the BBC's involvement in sport started declining. "Now it's very, very uncomfortable to see. It's not the type of programme you would invent now. "It has become a bit of a ball and chain.'
Glasgow Times
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
F1 Lando Norris pays tribute as ITV's Steve Rider retires
The 75-year-old said farewell live on air after covering the fifth round of the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park for ITV on Sunday (June 22). 'For me it's a final goodbye, at least from the presenter's chair, which it has been a privilege to occupy,' Rider said. Rider anchored a number of BBC shows including Sportsnight and Grandstand before moving to ITV to head their Formula One coverage and the British Touring Car Championship from 2009. A few familiar faces say farewell to Steve Rider... #BTCC — ITV Motorsport (@itvmotorsport) June 22, 2025 Steve Rider retires – sport stars pay tribute A host of drivers from the past and present recorded messages for Rider. The two-minute montage featured a host of famous names from the world of F1. Lando Norris, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Jenson Button and David Coulthard all contributed to the emotional goodbye. Current title contender Norris, whom Rider closely followed through the ranks, said: 'It's been a pleasure to work with someone so iconic, so legendary, and I wish you all the very best.' Former world champions Button and Hill described working with Rider as 'an honour', while Hill hailed 'your commentary, your super style and delivery, and perfect hair as well'. Fans react to Rider's last TV appearance Fans were also quick to take to social media to praise Rider's successful career and how they would miss him. 'You'll be missed Steve Rider, have a great retirement,' one fan wrote. 'Can remember Steve from Grandstand days, another tv presenter legend retiring,' another said. Others were eager to share their memories commenting: 'A fantastic incredible career for Steve Rider in the broadcasting industry – it's not going to be the same without you.' 'Really sad to see the legend that is Steve Rider finally retire from presenting and commentating on motorsport." 'Watched and listened to him over the last 25 years or so! A consummate professional who will be sorely missed.' 'Easily one of the best was Steve Rider.' Recommended reading: One Motorsport tweeted: 'Signing off Oulton Park by celebrating a true legend of broadcasting Steve Rider. 'It's been a quite incredible career and the paddock won't be the same without you. We all wish you a very happy retirement!' While another added: 'Steve Rider is a voice of my childhood from Grandstand Final Score. Great presenter.'
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BBC and ITV broadcaster retires after 48-year career with tributes pouring in from sporting icons
A BBC and ITV broadcasting legend has retired after his 48-year career in the industry came to an end. Steve Rider, 75, bid farewell for the final time after being part of the presentation team on ITV4 for the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park. Ryder's contributions to Formula One were recognised in the form of a two-minute montage that featured tributes from the likes of Lando Norris, Jenson Button, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell and David Coulthard. He became a familiar face on British TV screens after becoming a regular presenter on BBC's Grandstand. Ryder also led coverage for rugby, golf, motorsports and rowing events for the BBC, along with Sports Personality of the Year. He then left the BBC in 2005 to join ITV, where he became the anchor of their F1 and World Cup coverage. In an interview with Mail Sport in April, Ryder expressed his disappointment about how the BBC 'dismantled' its coverage of golf, a sport he was synonymous with during his time there. The broadcaster last had live coverage of The Open in 2015 and the Masters in 2019. 'It has been a bit of a surrender,' insists Rider. 'I really don't think there are too many hard-fought battles taking place with the BBC trying to defend their position. 'The one thing that they do have is that ability to deliver a sizeable audience, so why not offer that up for the last day of the Ryder Cup or the Masters? 'The whole landscape has changed hugely, but I do think BBC Sport went with a bit of a whimper, which is a shame.' After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2023, Ryder underwent emergency surgery, which successfully stopped the tumour from spreading. He told BBC Breakfast: 'They took one look and said ''we're going to operate in two weeks''. 'No messing around. We did Brands Hatch for ITV on the Sunday and I had the operation on the Thursday. So it slotted into the schedule quite nicely!'
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC TV icon to leave screens for good today as he says 'I'll go quietly'
BBC TV icon to leave screens for good today as he says 'I'll go quietly' The legendary broadcaster is making a low-key departure from TV after over 50 years in the business Steve Rider (right) is bowing out from TV this weekend (Image:) Legendary sports broadcaster Steve Rider will hang up his microphone for the final time today after over 50 years on screen. The 75-year-old will bring the curtain down on his remarkable career as he fronts ITV4's coverage of the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park on Sunday afternoon, having held that role for the last 16 years. Rider is probably best known however for presenting the iconic BBC sports show Grandstand, while he covered everything from rugby and golf to rowing and motorsports during his time with the broadcaster. He also presented Sportsnight and Sports Personality of the Year, as well as hosting the BBC's coverage of every Olympic Games between 1988 and 2004, before leaving the corporation in 2005. He then joined ITV, where he presented coverage of Formula One, as well as the football and rugby World Cups, before moving on to the British Touring Car Championship. While his remarkable and varied career saw him become one of the most recognisable and popular names in sport broadcasting, however, Rider will make a low-key departure from our screens - but it's one that suits him fine. "God knows, I'll be very disappointed if Andrea Bocelli isn't here,' he joked in an interview with the Telegraph, before adding: 'I'll go quietly, don't worry.' Article continues below Earlier this year, Rider admitted he would "just sidle away" after presenting the Touring Car Championship for the final time. "The biggest emotion as you get into the last two minutes of something like that is, 'For God's sake, don't c**k it up,' because you'd be thinking about that for the next 20 years," he told MailOnline. "I've probably outstayed my welcome. I've been hugely lucky with the places that the career has taken me. But it's close to 50 years now, so the cracks are showing!" The Dartford-born presenter's exit from TV comes over 18 months after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Rider had gone to get himself tested after one of his friends was diagnosed with the same cancer following a medical check, with his wife urging him to undergo further examinations after his readings came back "a little high" following his first check-up. He then underwent "significant" surgery to prevent the disease from spreading and he admitted during an appearance on BBC Breakfast that he had been "incredibly lucky" as the cancer had been detected early. "I was cutting it a bit fine," Rider said. "They took one look and said, 'We're going to operate in two weeks'. No mucking about. "We did Brands Hatch for ITV on the Sunday and I had the operation on the Thursday, so it fitted into the schedule quite nicely! 'It was one operation, whip it all out, off you go and enjoy the rest of your life, second chance. But I was one of the lucky ones," he added, as he urged people to undergo checks for the disease. "Get yourself tested because once this wretched thing develops, as we've been seeing from Chris Hoy and Eddie Jordan, it just gallops away and there's no control. The chance you have is early testing." Ahead of Rider's retirement, an ITV statement read: "This Sunday, the legendary Steve Rider will present his final show before he retires following a stellar 45 years working for ITV and BBC. "Steve began his career as a reporter at LBC before moving to Anglia Television. As he progressed through the ranks he went on to work on the Olympic Games, World Of Sport and BBC's Grandstand to name a few. He returned to ITV in 2005 and presented our Formula One coverage, the 2006 Football World Cup, the Champions League and the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Article continues below "More recently, the 75-year-old has been anchoring the British Touring Car Championship on ITV4. We wish Steve all the best in the future and thank him for all his dedication and hard work in a TV career spanning over 50 years on screen."
