Andrew Castle reacts to end of Wimbledon commentary role
Andrew Castle has admitted he remains upset about the BBC’s decision to end his long-standing Wimbledon commentary role, revealing he had hoped to stay on until the Championships’ 150th anniversary in 2027, reports BritPanorama.
The former British No 1 will call his final Wimbledon for the corporation over the next fortnight after being informed that this summer’s tournament would be his last as lead commentator.
Castle, who has been a familiar voice at SW19 for more than two decades, expressed disappointment at the decision but acknowledged that broadcasting careers inevitably come to an end. “Yeah, I was upset, and I will stay that way this year, knowing it’s my last. But all good things come to an end,” he said.
The 62-year-old had hoped to depart the role a year later, marking both the 150th staging of the Championships and what would have been his 25th year covering Wimbledon for the BBC. “I would have liked to have gone out with the 150th year of the Championships,” he noted.
Despite the disappointment, Castle praised BBC executives for informing him of the decision in person, recognizing the often ruthless nature of television. “I was told in person, in a very respectful way, and I was very grateful for that,” he explained, reflecting on the abrupt nature of career changes in the industry.
Former Wimbledon champion Sue Barker expressed sympathy for Castle’s departure, acknowledging the significance of his contributions throughout her own television career. “I’m sad that this news has come as a bit of a shock to him, but it feels that way for all of us, because we love what we do so much,” she said. “You have to make way for the next generation.”
As Castle prepares to conclude his commentary at Wimbledon, his departure serves as a reminder of the changing landscape in sports broadcasting, where new voices continually emerge to shape the narrative of the game.
