A QUESTION OF SPORT CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRST EVER LIVE UK TOUR

We are pleased to announce that Sheffield City Hall will host an afternoon performance of A Question of Sport Live following exceptional demand for the live tour. A Question of Sport will now take to the stage at 2.30pm on 30th October.

After entertaining millions of viewers every week, BBC ONE’s A Question of Sport is to embark on its first ever live stage tour to celebrate a staggering 40 years on air. The UK’s longest running and most popular sports quiz will embark upon a UK tour across all major cities from the 20th October- 17th November 2010

The specially staged live show, licensed by BBC Worldwide and produced by Live Nation and Merlin Music, largely follows the small-screen format, but also becomes interactive in a thrilling live environment. Fans of the show will be able to see their favourite rounds up close and personal for the first time ever from the ‘Picture Board’ to ‘Mystery Guest’ to ‘What Happened Next.’

Translating the TV show into theatre setting will also allow the team to add some exciting new twists and surprises to the show. Audience members will be able to participate in the shows, directly posing questions to the teams and getting involved in some of the rounds. Working outside the confines of a TV studio will also allow for more physical challenges including exhilarating live sporting contests between teams.

Presenter Sue Barker will be keeping order for each show on the tour along with resident team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, who will be joined by two stars from the world of sport. The two sporting panellists on Matt and Phil’s teams will change in each city and will have a strong regional connection. The sporting celebrities for each date will be announced shortly......

A Question of Sport celebrated its 40th birthday in January 2010 making it the longest running TV quiz show in the UK and possibly the world. The show is just past its 890th episode and in its 39th series. Over 2000 of the biggest names in British and International sport have appeared on the programme since its early days. In four decades the show has only had three presenters.

The starting gun was fired on A Question of Sport in 1970, in a show which featured two bona fide British legends – boxer Henry Cooper and footballing icon George Best. The first host was David Vine, the veteran sports presenter who hosted everything from Match of the Day to Grandstand. David Coleman took over from Vine in the late 70s, and remained in the chair until 1997 when the honours went to Sue Barker.

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England Rugby Union player Matt Dawson replaced Frankie Dettori as team captain in 2004 and former England International Cricketer Phil Tufnell took over from Ally McCoist in 2008, becoming the programme's 14th regular team captain since 1970. The duo followed in the footsteps of sporting legends Cliff Morgan, Henry Cooper, Fred Trueman, Brendan Foster, Bobby Moore, Gareth Edwards, Willie Carson, Emlyn Hughes, Bill Beaumont, Ian Botham, John Parrott and Ally McCoist.

This is the first time that fans of the programme can experience the hit show outside of their living rooms and will also be a unique experience for the presenter and captains.

Phil Tufnell commented; “It’s really thrilling to be able to take the show on tour. Doing it live means we can interact more directly with the audience which will make the show a lot more exciting.”

Matt Dawson added; “I think what makes this live tour special is that for the first time ever families will be able to watch A Question of Sport in a live setting. When I was a child, we used to all sit at home and play the game as a family and we’d have loved the opportunity to all go and shout out the answers to the panellists.”

Sue Barker is equally enthusiastic about the live tour commenting: "I can't wait to get on the road. We’re looking forward to welcoming some of the biggest names in sport to the tour. Touring across the UK will be fantastic fun and I am sure I'll have my hands full with Matt and Phil."

Tickets (subject to booking fess) for Question of Sport at City Hall - Sheffield on Saturday 30th October are available online through this web site at www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk through the ticket hotline on 0114 2 789 789 and in person at the Sheffield City Hall Box Office.