Alex Scott could quit BBC and move to US after ‘lack of support’
ALEX Scott’s BBC future is in jeopardy over a perceived “lack of support” surrounding Football Focus.
She was “deeply hurt” by their response after she was blamed for falling viewing figures – prompting the star to make a complaint to bosses last year, The Sun can reveal.
The ex-England footballer, 40, is now “considering other offers” – including a possible move to America – as her contract comes up for renewal next year.
It comes as it was revealed last night that she will not be in the presenting line-up for the BBC’s Children In Need next month for the first time in four years.
A BBC press release last night confirmed Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay were taking over from Alex and Jason Manford.
A source said: “Alex has never been happier than she is right now, she’s just turned 40 and embracing a new chapter in her life, and the decision to part ways from Children In Need – an event she is hugely proud to have been a part of – was entirely mutual.
“She wants to concentrate on her ambassadorships with UNICEF and Refuge right now, and is also contemplating a move to America with her girlfriend, Jess [Glynne].
“There are no guarantees she will be with the BBC next summer – her contract is up for renewal and she is in talks for a raft of other exciting projects.
“Football Focus turns 50 this year and Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show.
“Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.
“The viewing figures are actually super healthy, and Alex raised her concerns as she has been in this business long enough now to stand up for herself.”
Rochelle will be joined by Vernon in next month’s CIN line-up, alongside Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey and Lenny Rush.
Last year it was reported that Football Focus had lost a third of its audience in the space of four years.
Dan Walker, who previously fronted it, tweeted that it was “hard to see” the show struggling.
Former Arsenal defender Alex hit back, replying sardonically: “Interesting.”
She then put out another message to the critics of the show, posting the show’s Sports Journalist Association award from 2022.
She wrote: “We have big interviews with Ange Postecoglou and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard coming up on the ‘Award’ winning Football Focus tomorrow.
“Make that a headline.”
Last night a spokeswoman for Alex declined to comment.