BBC in major schedule shake-up as THREE beloved shows are axed from screens
WIMBLEDON officially stars today, which means a massive shakeup for the BBC.
The publicly funded corporation has been forced to make a huge schedule shake-up as the highly anticipated grand slam makes its way onto the airwaves.
Clare Balding, 53, will front extended coverage of the world-famous tournament across the BBC One and BBC Two.
The veteran presenter returns to the airwaves as the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz compete for one of the biggest titles in tennis.
However, this means that the publicly funded corporation has been forced to take drastic action for programming.
Three shows will be taken off air whilst viewers clamour to watch the latest action on centre court.
Rip Off Britain is the consumer based show which aims to tackle issues that matter to viewers of the UK.
The likes of Angela Rippon, 79, Gloria Hunniford, 84, and Julia Somerville, 76, aim to tackle issues such as bills, food and horrendous customer service.
The factual entertainment programme usually airs at 2pm on the flagship channel with Animal Park following closely behind at 2:30pm.
Ben Fogle, 50, and Kate Humble, 55, usually come onto the airways as they present the nature series which looks at the Longleat Estate and Safari Park in Wiltshire.
This is usually followed by Escape To The Country at 3pm as Jules Hudson, 54, tries to find the perfect escape home for prospective buyers.
However, all three shows have been taken off the schedule in order to facilitate coverage of Wimbledon.
Coverage of the tournament will start at 2pm and will air on BBC One all the way until BBC News at Six.
Meanwhile, on BBC Two usual programmes have also been paused as Wimbledon will dominate the airwaves from 1pm until 10pm.
This will also include the popular magazine programme Today At Wimbledon which is presented by Qasa Alom.
The corporation will also feature an array of guest stars and pundits throughout the Grand Slam tournament.
Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft as well as the likes of Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Tim Henman will feature as commentators.
Former GMTV star Andrew Castle, Joanna Konta and Nick Kyrgios will also grace the airwaves as they give their expert verdicts on the court action.
BBC departures and returns
LEAVING/LEFT
Newsnight’s Mark Urban after 35 years on air
Claudia Winkleman quitting BBC Radio 2 after 15 years
Correspondent Robin Brant after two decades
Sports presenter Garry Richardson after 50 years
BBC Radio star Jason Rosam after 16 years on air
Jordan North quitting Radio 1 and moving to Capital
RETURNING/RETURNED
Martine Croxall after launching legal action against the Beeb
Karin Giannone after a horror injury and year off air
Annita McVeigh after losing out on a chief presenter job last year
Geeta Guru-Murthy after also being off air for more than a year