Sue Barker has revealed the true nature of her exit from the BBC quiz show A Question of Sport.
In 2020, the former tennis star stepped down from the show she had hosted for 24 years, alongside long serving team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell.
However, the way in which the BBC reportedly handled the process left Barker feeling "angry" and "insulted."
In her new autobiography, Calling The Shots, the 66-year-old explains how her eventual departure from A Question of Sport came about.
MailOnline has revealed excerpts from Barker's book.
"The countdown to the end had begun in October 2016, when A Question Of Sport was one of the first BBC shows to be put out to tender to independent production companies. I was on holiday when a few TV producer friends contacted me.
"They'd seen the BBC tender document and couldn't believe my name wasn't on it. Apparently the BBC wanted to refresh the show — with more diversity and more appeal to a younger audience. I was gobsmacked. How did they think I wasn't going to hear about this?"
Barker made a welcome discovery when she found out the bidding companies wanted to keep her as the show's host, with the BBC performing a U-turn and announcing they wanted to maintain the existing lineup.
However, two years later, Barker was given an ultimatum when she was offered a further two-year contract. In the final year of her deal, she was told the BBC would be looking to introduce new captains to replace Dawson and Tufnell.
"I didn't need to think long about this: I said I'd leave with the boys," she revealed. "Nothing was decided over that next year so we all got another extension to our contracts."
In 2020, the bombshell was dropped that the BBC would be evolving A Question of Sport without its three familiar faces.
Barker remembered the trio being called into separate meetings with the management to inform them of the news. She admitted she was left "wretchedly sad" knowing her time as the show's presenter was coming to an end.
But despite this sadness, Barker ultimately had no issue with being replaced, as "everyone has their day." Rather, it was the aftermath that made things difficult.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 02: BBC Presenter, Sue Barker speaks prior to the Men's Singles Third Round match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy on day six of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The former French Open champion was left frustrated after asking the BBC to provide statements regarding her departure. The broadcaster reportedly left it until two weeks before her final episode to provide further communication, which came in the form of an email.
Three days later, Barker, Dawson and Tuffnell were asked to sign a statement informing the nation of their decision to "step aside" from the show.
The trio, bewildered by the narrative being framed as them choosing to walk away, refused to sign the statement.
Barker said she was then requested to announce “that I was leaving for the good of the show", which made her feel as though she was "sacking herself."
When the presenter told the BBC to simply explain the proper reasoning — the fact they were looking to refresh the show — she was remarkably offered her job back. However, the damage had been done and Barker declined, feeling very much as though "they didn't want me anymore."
Barker was replaced by Paddy McGuinness, who previously hosted ITV dating show Take Me Out. Former England rugby international Ugo Monye and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek were appointed as the new team captains.
Barker also said an emotional farewell to her role as BBC's anchor for Wimbledon coverage earlier this year, a position she had held for 30 years.