Claie Balding has been confirmed as the new host of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage, replacing Sue Barker who devastated fans when she announced she was retiring from the job she held for three decades.
Sue announced she was stepping down before last year's tournament had even started, saying: "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."
Reacting to her decisiom, BBC director general Tim Davie said: “Sue Barker has been the face and voice of Wimbledon for three decades. Many of our viewers will not know of a summer in SW19 without her. She is a consummate professional, an outstanding presenter and a wonderful colleague, loved by current and former players, all of us at the BBC and audiences across the UK and beyond.
Viewers who argued that Wimbledon just 'wouldn't be the same' without Sue as host, were left wondering who would take over, well on Monday morning, it was revealed that her replacement is Clare, who is no stranger to the BBC's sporting coverage, having presented the Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year.
She's also no stranger to Wimbledon either, having presented highlights show Today At Wimbledon for the BBC,. Clare will be joined by some of the most celebrated names in the sport as she takes on lead hosting duties.
Former Wimbledon champions, including John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Pat Cash will all join Clare in the studio, as well as Tim Henman, Tracy Austin, Annabel Croft, Johanna Konta, Anne Keothavong and Sania Mirza.
This year's tournament will run from July 3 to July 16.
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