BBC Wimbledon pundit stepped down, legend quit and Boris Becker 'snub'

BBC Wimbledon pundit stepped down, legend quit and Boris Becker 'snub' The BBC is in for more changes this year when it comes to its coverage of Wimbledon The BBC is fighting to ensure its Wimbledon coverage is in peak condition ahead of the tournament getting underway at the end of June. News emerged this week that Andrew Castle, a much-loved voice in the commentary box, would be departing the corporation. It's yet another unwelcome bout of turbulence for the Beeb. The blow is felt all the more keenly given reports that the All England Club has urged the BBC to freshen up and overhaul its coverage. Castle's exit follows the departures of several other well-known faces. Here, we take a look at those legendary names who've walked away from the BBC's Wimbledon coverage in recent years. Andrew Castle Castle walked out on the BBC just days after it was confirmed the 2026 Championships would be his swansong with the broadcaster. Choosing to jump before he was pushed, the commentator handed in his notice. Castle revealed his departure during an interview with The Times, with the 62-year-old saying: "To be honest, when I got the job 23 years ago, a lot of the more experienced commentators felt that they should have been first in line. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page "Their noses were put out of joint. So, in the wider scheme of things, I am lucky that I had the best gig in sports broadcasting for so long, during the greatest age of men's tennis." On what he intends to do with his free time, Castle said: "My wife Sophia and I are building a house and we're about to have a third grandchild, so things are good. I am not sure what will come next professionally, but whatever it is, I'll embrace it." Sue Barker Barker became a major fixture of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage in 1993 and took over from the legendary Des Lynam as the lead presenter in 2000. The former Grand Slam champion stepped down from her role in the summer of 2022. During her tenure at the Beeb, the now 70-year-old Barker played a vital role in steering tennis enthusiasts through an era dominated by Serena and Venus Williams, along with a spell in the men's game governed by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. The broadcasting legend also fronted the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, athletics, racing and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards from 1994 through to 2012. Upon her departure, she said: "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." Boris Becker German tennis legend Becker wasn't selected for the BBC's Wimbledon punditry roster in 2025. This came despite being permitted to apply for re-entry to the UK following his 2022 prison sentence. The 58-year-old was handed a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for concealing £2.5million worth of assets to dodge repaying loans after declaring bankruptcy. The three-time All England champion served eight months before being deported from Britain, preventing him from attending fixtures at Wimbledon throughout that period. However, according to the Daily Mail, BBC bosses turned down the chance to feature Becker in their programming, despite the German legend being a fixture on the broadcaster since 2002. TNT Sports was also reported to have rejected the possibility of using Becker in its coverage of the tournament after obtaining rights to daily highlights of the Grand Slam. Speaking about his passion for the event, he said: "I miss Wimbledon. It's part of my life. It's in my DNA. I don't think anyone alive knows Wimbledon as well as I do. But let's see who I'm working for there. After October 2024, I can be given permission from the Home Office. They decide, I don't decide." Wimbledon 2026 is just around the corner and Seat Unique has tickets on sale now with VIP access.