Clare Balding will succeed Sue Barker as BBC's lead presenter for Wimbledon

sue barker
BBC names Sue Barker's successor as Wimbledon hostKarwai Tang - Getty Images

The BBC has named Sue Barker's successor as the lead presenter for its coverage of Wimbledon.

Following the announcement that Sue would step away from presenting after the 2022 Grand Slam tennis tournament, Clare Balding — already well-known to BBC audiences — will take over as lead presenter from this summer.

"It's a huge honour to be given this responsibility but I am very aware that no one person can fill Sue's shoes," said Clare.

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" This will always be a team effort and we're lucky that the BBC line-up includes former professionals with huge insight as well as wonderful reporters and commentators.

"It's my job to bring out the best in them and to help make our viewers feel they have a front-row seat on the greatest sporting stage."

Clare has almost three decades of experience working with the BBC across its TV and radio output — including at Wimbledon — serving as a commentator, reporter and presenter during that time.

clare balding
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She has worked on coverage of sports including rugby league, horse racing and flagship events including the summer and winter Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.

Clare is also the host of Channel 4's coverage of Crufts, which starts today (March 9).

While most of the wider broadcast team for Wimbledon is yet to be announced, it's been confirmed that Isa Guha will return to lead start-of-play coverage.

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A former England cricketer who has won the World Cup and the Ashes tournament, Isa moved into commentating and presenting full-time following her retirement in 2012, working with broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Sky.

She made her Wimbledon presenting debut last year, describing the occasion as an "honour [and] a privilege", and was also part of the BBC's 2022 Commonwealth Games broadcasting team.

sue barker
Karwai Tang - Getty Images

Announcing her retirement from presenting Wimbledon after 30 years, former French Open champion Sue said last summer: "What a wonderful time I've had working on some of the biggest sporting events around the world.

"I will miss it terribly but after 30 years I feel the time is right for me. I've worked with the best of the best."

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