Strictly star Sam Quek had short-lived stint on Question of Sport
Sam Quek, like other Olympians, has transitioned from the world of sports to the world of television. However, her appearance on Question of Sport has generated a lot of buzz and conversation.
The athlete, who will be competing in the next season of Strictly, was made a leader on the popular show in 2021 as part of changes. But viewers were not happy with the changes to the show that had been loved for many years, and just two years later Question of Sport was cancelled.
Quek joins the lineup for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, prompting us to reflect on past events.
Sam Quek Joins Revamp Of Question Of Sport
Host Sue Barker had been running the sports quiz show since 1997, but in 2020, it was revealed that she would be leaving and Paddy McGuinness would become the new host. The team captains, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, were replaced by Quek and rugby player Ugo Monye.
Sports personalities Paddy McGuinness, Sam Quek, and Ugo Monye were featured on the show Question of Sport. (BBC)
Quek expressed that being a captain on Question of Sport was like a dream come true for her. She had been a fan of the show since she was young, and appearing on it five years ago fulfilled her ambition. However, she never imagined she would one day be a team captain.
However, it quickly became apparent that a lot of viewers were longing for the original hosts. Numerous people took to social media to express their desire to have Barker, Dawson, and Tufnell return to the show.
Quek wasn't too concerned about the negative feedback, as reported by the Daily Star. She expressed that receiving criticism is just part of being in her position. There are people on the internet who spend their time saying mean things about others, but Quek doesn't let it affect her. She is aware of the negative side of social media, but she doesn't pay much attention to what people are saying.
Sam Quek was a skilled hockey player. (Getty Images)
However, viewers tuned out in droves following the alterations to the show, dropping from four to five million viewers to approximately 2.2 million for the debut season with the revamped team.
In August 2022, an episode had the lowest viewer count ever, with only 730,000 people tuning in. Speculation began about the show's longevity.
Sport's Iconic Show Ends After 53 Years
In December 2023, it was officially announced that Question of Sport would be coming to an end after 53 years.
The BBC remains hopeful that the show will return in the future, explaining that it is not over yet but that financial constraints and rising costs have led to the show being put on hold for now.
Sam Quek also appeared on the reality show I'm A Celebrity.
Star To Compete Fiercely On Strictly
Quek, a mother of two young children with her spouse Tom Mairs, has experience in reality television. She appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016 and competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2020, finishing in third place.
It's official that she will be putting on tight spandex and sparkly sequins for the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. Quek made an appearance on The One Show to share the exciting news with fans and mentioned that she has a competitive spirit that she can't ignore.
"I find it challenging because I felt confident in my abilities in hockey. I knew what to expect and what I needed to do," she explained. "However, when it comes to Strictly, my dance experience is limited to dancing with my friends on a night out."
Get ready for the return of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One this fall.
The current list of contestants for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is as follows.
This year's Strictly roster seems to be more about who couldn't make it rather than the usual high-profile names.
Montell Douglas, known for her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Gladiators, has recently achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the world of sports.
