BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman makes emotional on-air apology to sports fans for ‘miserable and difficult weekend’ following strike in solidarity with Gary Lineker, as he condemns online abuse of commentators who worked as usual
- Mark Chapman has returned to host the BBC’s ‘Monday Night Club’ on 5 Live
- The radio show host admitted the weekend was ‘miserable’ for all involved
- The BBC saw their weekend sports schedule torn up after Gary Lineker’s axing
BBC Radio 5 Live’s ‘Monday Night Club’ host Mark Chapman has apologised to listeners for the disruption to the organisations sports programming over the weekend but insisted there ‘are lessons to be learned by all involved’.
The BBC’s sports programming has returned to normal after Gary Lineker was reinstated as the host of Match of the Day on Monday, but Chapman felt it was important to highlight the issues caused by the iconic presenters temporary axing.
Chapman along with many of his colleagues such as Ian Wright and Alan Shearer decided to step down from their weekend presenting duties in a stand of solidarity with Lineker who was surprisingly punished by BBC Chief Tim Davie over a controversial tweet.
However, with Lineker’s situation resolved and normal programming resumed, Chapman felt it was important to address listeners of the popular evening sports show.
Speaking at the start of Monday evening’s broadcast, Chapman monologued: ‘Good evening and welcome to Monday’s 5 live sport.
BBC Radio 5 Live show host Mark Chapman has issued an apology to listeners at the start of Monday’s show
Gary Lineker was confirmed to have returned to his role as Match of the Day presenter on Monday
BBC Chief Tim Davie previously apologised for the situation and invited Lineker back to his role
‘The Monday night club on the way in a minute. This weekend has been miserable and difficult for everyone involved.
‘For you the listener I am sorry that we didn’t bring you the usual service you would expect from us. I appreciate your patience although if you are angry about what happened then I completely get that too.
‘Most importantly I would like to acknowledge those behind the scenes on 5 live sport and at BBC Sport and staff members who were on air who were put in difficult, uncomfortable positions through absolutely no fault of their own, they have been at the receiving end of abuse for just doing their jobs.
‘It is disgusting and unfair. It is ironic that in a row over impartiality we have all been seen to be taking sides and I feel there are lessons to be learnt by all involved,’ he added.
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