Sue Barker has decided to step down as a presenter of BBC Sports Personality of the Year after 19 years in the role.
Having hosted BBC Sport’s end-of-year sporting review programme for the past two decades, Barker has opted to step aside as a result of scaling back her broadcasting commitments, but she will be a member of this year’s judging panel.
She will also continue to remain at the helm for key BBC sporting events, including Wimbledon and next year’s Winter Olympics, and will play a major role in contributing to this year’s live show.
Gary Lineker and Clare Balding will continue as main hosts for the 2013 edition, with Gabby Logan joining the presenting team for the first time.
Commenting on her decision to step aside, Barker said: “It has been an honour to present BBC Sports Personality Of The Year for the last 19 years and I have loved every minute of it.
“The BBC have asked me to stay, but I had made the decision to downsize my commitments a while ago, and I knew that the time would be right after what was always set to be a magical 2012.
“I will still be very much involved with the show though and am looking forward to the 60th anniversary celebrations coming up this year.
“I also of course look forward to continuing my other presenting work on the BBC.”
Barker made her debut fronting the BBC’s Sports Review of the Year in 1994 – the show’s 40th anniversary – co-hosting alongside Desmond Lynam and Steve Rider.
Since then, she has shared presenting duties with the likes of Gary Lineker, John Inverdale, Clare Balding, Adrian Chiles and Jake Humphrey.
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, said: “It is with a sad heart that we announce that Sue is no longer presenting, having been the mainstay of the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year for almost two decades.
“This is Sue’s decision and one that we all respect.
“However, fans needn’t worry – she won’t be absent from our screens on the night, bringing some special elements to the show as we look back on what has been another bumper year for UK sport.
“Sue will also remain very much a key part of our presenting team at BBC Sport, as we prepare for a busy 2014 sporting calendar.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Gabby Logan to the Sports Personality team for 2013. We’re delighted to have her on board.”
This year’s BBC Sport Personality of the Year – which marks the 60th anniversary of the show – will be broadcast live on BBC One on Sunday, December 15, from the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Last year, the coveted trophy was won by Tour de France winner and Olympic time trial champion Sir Bradley Wiggins.
This year’s winner will join him and some of the many sporting greats to claim the trophy before them, including Bobby Moore, Princess Anne, Lord Sebastian Coe, Daley Thompson, Dame Mary Peters, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Liz McColgan.
Also in attendance will be Sir Steve Redgrave, David Beckham, Dame Kelly Homes, Andrew Flintoff, Sir Chris Hoy, Jonathan Edwards, Paula Radcliffe, Zara Philips, and the first winner, Sir Christopher Chataway in 1954.
Slater added: “As it’s the 60th anniversary of Sports Personality Of The Year, we’ll be looking back at some of the UK’s greatest sporting moments as well as celebrating all that has been achieved this year.
“The fact that the show remains so popular after so many years is testament to the outstanding performances of our sportsmen and women.”
The 2013 judging panel which will decide the nominees for the main award has also be confirmed. It will be made up of:
– Barbara Slater (Chair);
– BBC’s head of TV sport Philip Bernie,
– BBC SPOTY executive editor Carl Doran,
– 5 live presenter Mark Pougatch,
– Newspaper sports editors Alison Kervin (Mail On Sunday), Adam Sills (Telegraph) and Dominic Hart (Mirror)
– A pan-sports broadcaster/journalist, Sue Barker
– Three former nominees: Dame Kelly Holmes, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Michael Vaughan OBE
– Liz Nicholl OBE, Chief Executive of UK Sport
The panel will select the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality Of The Year, and the winner will once again be decided by public vote on the night of the show.
They also chooses the first, second and third place for Team Of The Year, Overseas Personality Of The Year and Coach Of The Year awards.
Additional awards include Lifetime Achievement, the Helen Rollason award, Young Sports Personality Of The Year and Unsung Hero will also be announced on the night.
For more information, visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality