Grandstand

A sporting institution which would run from 11 October 1958 - 28 January 2007. Sunday Grandstand was launched in 1981. All major sporting events would run at one time or another under the Grandstand banner when under contract by the BBC.

As I write this comment (25/4/06), the BBC surprisingly announced that Grandstand is to be axed after 48 years saying that is "old-fashioned". This has been part of Saturday afternoons on BBC1 since 1958 and the BBC still plan to show sport in this slot under the banner BBC Sport.

The show includes such features as Football Focus and Final Score. The big sporting events that have been part of this over the years include the Olympics, Boat Race, FA Cup final, Grand National, Wimbledon and Formula One. Some of these events including the Boat Race and Formula One are now on ITV.

Its hosts over the years include Des Lynam (who now presents Countdown), Steve Rider, Frank Bough, Bob Wilson, the late Helen Rollason and Sue Barker.

Although I don't watch it much now, Saturday afternoons will never be the same again without Grandstand.