Comedy sports quiz axed

They Think It's All Over has been axed.

BBC chiefs have decided the comedy sports quiz has run its course after 11 years and 20 series.

Last year, the show lost host Nick Hancock, who was replaced by Lee Mack for the last two series - and regular Jonathan Ross quit earlier this year..

And now BBC One controller Peter Fincham has decided to pull the plug, announcing that the show had reached its 'natural conclusion' and that no further episodes will be commissioned.

He said: ‘They Think It's all Over has had a great run on BBC One lasting 11 years.

 ‘It rewrote the rule book by bringing comedy and sport together in a fresh and anarchic way.  It's featured a great range of comedians rubbing shoulders with Olympic gold medalists and world champions, and has been sheer unadulterated fun.’

At its peak, the show attracted more than 8 million viewers, but this had slumped to just over 3 million by the last series.

Published: 19 Jun 2006