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Simon Duke

BBC's Sue Barker left in tears by crowd as she quits Wimbledon job after 30 years

Sue Barker was left in tears as she quit her job as main Wimbledon host for the BBC after 30 years.

Former tennis player Sue has been the face and voice of the channel's coverage of the world famous tournament for decades, so it came as a big shock to players, fellow pundits and viewers when it was announced before the start of this year's events that she'd be bowing out once the latest champions had been crowned.

Sue leaving her BBC job was a huge talking point throughout Wimbledon this year, with her colleague and another former pro, John McEnroe, pleading with her to stay as they hosted together at the start of the two week long competition, saying he didn't know how they could continue without her.

Sue was honoured on Centre Court when she stood alongside a host of former champion last week and BBC bosses weren't going to let her leave without a fitting send-off after Novak Djokovic won the men's final in a four set thriller against Nick Kyrgios.

READ MORE: Jon Kay's 'official' BBC Breakfast debut thrown into chaos

John told Sue, 66, she was the 'Roger Federer of the broadcasting world,' as fans, who had gathered close to the BBC's roof top studio left her visibly moved as they chanted "Sue! Sue! Sue! Sue!" The much loved presenter struggled to hold back the tears as the crowd continued to shout her name, with tennis legend Billie Jean-King also paying tribute as she stood next to her..

BBC colleague Clare Balding remarked: "I think it's fair to say w;'ve broken her."

Saying her goodbyes, Sue said; "It's been an absolute privilege - I've loved it, 30 amazing years, thank you I'll miss the job, I wish I had the next 30 years because I love it but most of all I'm going to miss the people I work with in front of the camera, behind the camera . You've just been absolutely amazing.

"I've just been so proud to front the programme. Thank you."

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