TV BOMBSHELL: Popular Wimbledon presenter replaced on air as BBC co-star steps in
Isa Guha was absent from screens on Friday (Image: BBC)
One of the BBC’s popular Wimbledon hosts was temporarily replaced during the latest coverage. The competition at SW19 is nearing its end, as the semi-finals continue to take place. After several hours of tense on-court action on Thursday (July 9), Czech players, Karolína Muchová and Linda Nosková, made it through to their first ever Wimbledon final, after beating US star Coco Gauff and Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk on Centre Court.
The men’s semi-finals are set to take place on Friday (July 10). British wildcard Arthur Fery is set to take on Alexander Zverev in the first match on Centre Court, followed by a blockbuster clash between number one seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. However, Isa Guha, who normally presents the morning coverage of Wimbledon for the BBC, wasn’t on hand to update viewers at the start of Friday’s broadcast.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Isa was replaced by Andy Stevenson (Image: BBC)
Instead, the former cricketer was at Lord’s to present coverage of a Women’s Test between England and India. As she brought viewers all the latest news from the cricket, Isa was replaced at Wimbledon by Andy Stevenson, who usually presents the wheelchair finals.
This isn’t the first time Isa has been replaced at Wimbledon, as the star was notably substituted by former British tennis player Laura Robson last week. That’s not all, as Isa was notably missing from the coverage just hours ago on Thursday morning too.
Teasing what was to come at the All England Club on Friday, Andy said: “Welcome to Wimbledon on another scorching day and the hottest tickets in town are definitely on Centre Court today to watch Arthur Fery. That square church tower in the top right-hand corner of the picture there is Christ Church Wimbledon and opposite that church is Westside Tennis Club, where Arthur Fery first stepped onto a tennis court, aged just four years old.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“He went to school just round the corner as well. I drove past those two places on my way in. He really is a local hero, as well as a British hero. And today, almost 20 years on from picking up that tennis racket for the first time, he returns as a Wimbledon semi-finalist.”
Isa and Clare Balding lead the BBC’s coverage (Image: BBC/Helen Murray)
Andy was joined by Louise Hunt Skelley and Leon Smith in the shaded Rose Arbour, just opposite Centre Court.
Speaking about Arthur Fery, Leon said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for him. He’s a wonderful person. He’s shown a huge amount of determination, quality. No chance anyone [would have] dreamed this [would happen] in the last fortnight, but it has and he’s earned it. He’s played some amazing tennis.”
Louise added: “The energy and excitement is just taking over, isn’t it? It’s truly infectious. But I’m so excited to see how today is going to unfold. It’s a really magical journey and I just believe that why can’t this be his opportunity? I’ve got every faith, I’ve got everything behind him. Although it’s been a bit of a tough road, sometimes that can be the thing that can fuel you to reach the top.”
