sport news Mark Lawrenson claims Dan Walker found out he was leaving BBC's Football Focus ... trends now
Mark Lawrenson has hit out at the BBC again, claiming former presenter Dan Walker only found out he had lost his role on Football Focus through rumours circulating about his future.
Lawrenson, who retired at the end of last season after 30 years as a pundit and co-commentator with the corporation, previously claimed his own departure was due to him being '65, white and male'.
Walker replaced Manish Bhasin as Football Focus's main presenter in 2009, but left the role in 2021 after 12 years, with Alex Scott taking over.
Mark Lawrenson has claimed former Football Focus presenter Dan Walker found out about his departure from the show through rumours circulating about his future
And Lawrenson was critical of Walker no longer being on the show and the way his departure was handled.
'I just don't get it. I think the premise should be, whatever age you are, colour or whatever, if you can do what you are asked to do, and are very good at the job, then you should still be in the job,' he told GB News.
'It is just very very strange. I mean, Dan Walker, I am sure you know Dan, he used to present Football Focus. He found out from basically rumours that he had lost his job at the end of the season.
'So it is just a strange way that the BBC operate I am afraid. And they seem to be very frightened to give you bad news. It is a very strange thing.'
Lawrenson hit out at the BBC for a second time after leaving the corporation earlier this year
Upon announcing his departure back in April 2021, Walker had hinted the decision had not been his to leave.
'Hello, I have some news. This is going to be my last season presenting Football Focus. It's been a real pleasure, an amazing 12 years, and I can honestly say I've loved every single second of it,' he said in a Twitter video.
'I'm really proud about the job we've done, the changes that we've made to the show, the issues that we've looked at, and at a time when the football landscape is changing immeasurably.
'But, having said all that, after 12 years it's time for someone else to take the reins. I’m really going to miss the magic of the programme, the opportunities it has given me, the great friends, many friends I’ve made along the way, and the thousands and thousands of conversations I've had with people who thankfully love the show just as much as I do.
Walker spent 12 years as presenter of the show from 2009-2021 until his departure last year
'And I'm also really looking forward to letting you know about one or two other exciting
