- The Back Page has been axed by Fox Sports
- Company has opted to go in a different direction
- Ran for 29 years, final show was on Tuesday
Frustrated sports fans across Australia want answers after The Back Page screened for the final time on Tuesday night.
The popular show was axed earlier this month after 29 years on the air, with Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley declaring, ‘Everything has a lifespan.’
In emotional scenes, host Tony Squires choked back tears as he thanked viewers for their loyalty across almost three decades.
‘I am not going to lie, it’s going to be really hard to walk out tonight, but go we must,’ Squires began on show number 481.
‘We’ve been around a long time. Thank you for letting us into your lives for that stretch.
‘Thank you to the more than 500 people who have taken a seat on the panel or as a guest. Thank you to sport for being the best live unscripted theatre.
Frustrated sports fans across Australia want answers after The Back Page screened for the final time on Tuesday night
The popular show – which ran for 29 years – was axed earlier this month, with Fox Sports focusing on other projects
Some of the high profile guests over the years include legendary boxer Mike Tyson, three-time Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox and athletics rising star Gout Gout (pictured)
‘Thank you to anyone who has celebrated victory prematurely and five-putted and recorded it. Thank you so much for doing that.
‘And so from everyone at The Back Page, goodbye.’
It didn’t long for sports enthusiasts to vent their frustration online.
‘One of the best shows on TV. Watched every Tuesday. Bizarre decision to end it,’ said one on X.
‘Devastated. Great show that still had fuel in the tank, in my opinion,’ posted another.
‘Couldn’t care less about all the endless NRL and AFL shows they have on. This is the type of show there should be more of, and they (Fox Sports) are getting rid of it,’ added a third.
Before Squires assumed hosting duties in March of 2013, the late Mike Gibson was the man in the hot seat, working closely with Billy Birmingham and famed reporter Peter Frilingos.
Regular recent contributors have included Ironwoman champion Candice Warner, radio identity Ryan Fitzgerald and veteran News Corp sports journalist Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock.
Some of the high profile guests over the years include legendary boxer Mike Tyson, three-time Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox and rising athletics star Gout Gout.