{"id":138048,"date":"2023-09-25T11:03:33","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T11:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/?p=138048"},"modified":"2023-09-25T11:03:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T11:03:33","slug":"who-is-former-wimbledon-tennis-host-sue-barker-and-who-is-her-husband-lance-tankard-the-sun-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/lifestyle\/who-is-former-wimbledon-tennis-host-sue-barker-and-who-is-her-husband-lance-tankard-the-sun-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is former Wimbledon tennis host Sue Barker and who is her husband Lance Tankard? \u2013 The Sun | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
SUE Barker enjoyed an incredible career at the BBC, and will forever be known for her coverage of Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
Although she no longer hosts the famous tennis tournament, her legacy at the Beeb long lives on.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sue Barker was born on April 19, 1956, and is a retired TV presenter and professional tennis\u00a0player.<\/p>\n
She was born and raised in Paignton, Devon and started playing tennis when she was 10 years old.<\/p>\n
Sue went on to win 11 WTA Tour singles titles and one Grand Slam after triumphing at the 1976 French Open.<\/p>\n
She reached a career-high singles ranking of number three in the world before bowing out of the sport in 1984.<\/p>\n
<\/picture>BREAK POINT <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>WASN’T SUE <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Sue has been married to her husband Lance Tankard since 1988.<\/p>\n He is a landscape gardener and former policeman and the couple met in Portugal where Sue was working as a tennis coach and he was on holiday.<\/p>\n Back home in England, they bumped into each other again at their local tennis club while having dinner as their kitchens were being redone, and the rest is history.<\/p>\n Sue was previously engaged to Australian tennis player Syd Ball but broke it off in 1978.<\/p>\n <\/picture>GONE TOO SOON <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>RASH CRASH <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>FIGHT CLUB <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>RASH SPEAKS <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n In 1982 she met singer Cliff Richard and their romance garnered plenty of press attention.<\/p>\n Sir Cliff later admitted he had almost proposed to Sue, but decided not to, and the couple split in 1986.<\/p>\n However, they remain good friends to this day.<\/p>\n Sue was part of the Wimbledon coverage for the BBC from 1993 to 2022.<\/p>\n The star's knowledge of tennis helped anchor the two-week event for over 30 years.<\/p>\n In 2022 Sue announced she was stepping down as the BBC's Wimbledon host, as she was retiring.<\/p>\n She said: "Basically I just feel the time is right. It has been my dream job and I have loved every minute of it working so many great colleagues who I am going to miss so much.<\/p>\n "When I started I never thought I would manage 30 years. I had actually made up my mind to leave in 2017 because the hours were becoming very long and quite challenging. That would have been 25 years and seemed a good time, but I am so glad I made the decision to stay on.<\/p>\n "I\u2019m very happy to be leaving with no regrets and on my own terms while I am still on top of the job, it just feels like the right time to go and leave it to others."<\/p>\n Sue was the presenter of A Question Of Sport for 23 years, after taking over from David Coleman in 1997.<\/p>\n She was axed from the show in 2020, and said she was "sad to say goodbye" to her "dream job".<\/p>\n A spokesperson said: "We would like to thank Sue for her enormous contribution as the show's longest-reigning host over the last 23 years, and Matt and Phil for their excellent team captaincy over 16 and 12 years respectively.<\/p>\n "Sue, Matt and Phil's final series will be broadcast next year before the series returns with a new team."<\/p>\n Sue also presented the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards from 1994 until 2012, when she stepped down.<\/p>\n The popular host is also known for the BBC Sport's coverage of the Australian Open, the French Open, and the Davis Cup,<\/p>\nTennis fans miss Sue Barker as BBC kick-off Wimbledon coverage with new team<\/h3>\n
Sue Barker reveals she ‘didn’t want to give up’ presenting Wimbledon on BBC<\/h3>\n
Who is Sue Barker's husband Lance Tankard?<\/h2>\n
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Why did Sue Barker step down as Wimbledon host?<\/h2>\n
What other shows has Sue Barker presented?<\/h2>\n