Andrew Castle is set to depart BBC’s Wimbledon coverage and on his way out has jokingly accused the broadcaster of forcing him out before commentating on his last final
15:39, 12 Jul 2026Updated 15:59, 12 Jul 2026
Andrew Castle has joked that he and John Lloyd have been booted off the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon(Image: BBC)
Andrew Castle has joked he is being “booted” off BBC coverage during his final appearance at Wimbledon. However, there is some truth to his departure being forced after he revealed that the broadcaster wanted to replace him with Andrew Cotter as their lead commentator.
Ahead of the men’s final at All England club, he was joined by John Lloyd and presenter Rishi Persad to speak about the tournament. Their segment was quickly brought to a close by the latter as they “were running out of time”, but he did offer his well-wishes to Castle on what is his last appearance.
Castle responded: “Yes, I am a bit sad about it of course. I have fabulous memories, even working with John. And John is finishing as well, we’re being put out to grass, I mean that’s it. Booted.”
Lloyd added: “I’ve had a good run. We were talking about it earlier, I started when there was still black and white TV, so it’s been a while. You didn’t start that young, you’re much younger than me and you were great to work with and I loved every minute of it.”
Castle closed out the segment stating: “Well I did too. My kids were eight and 10 when I did my first Wimbledon final and they’re now married. One has children and there’s one expecting on the way so don’t tell me there’s nothing to do. (Turns to John) We’ll play golf next week yes?”
Castle is currently preparing to commentate the men’s final between Sinner and Zverev, which will be his final outing in the booth. Since 2003, he has been BBC’s lead commentator at Wimbledon but he has chosen to leave after being informed that he would be demoted from the role he held for 23 years.
Andrew Castle has revealed why he is leaving the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage
Opening up on his decision, Castle said: “I’m approaching it [the final] in exactly the same way I have the other ones,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I’m taking a few more pictures this time because I know it’s coming to an end.
“I don’t hide this, I’m very, very sad and disappointed and all these other things. There’s a sense of grief that goes with this because there’s so many memories. I’ve never taken it for granted.
“To a degree, this was unexpected. The news was delivered to me in a respectful way. I had a meeting after taking a phone call that didn’t sound too good.
“Phil Bernie came down from BBC Sport and said ‘look, we’re going in a different direction for the final next year, we’d like you to stay a part of the team’.
“I thought about that, talked to my wife Sophia and the children, let it sit. Then I declined to be a part of the team for next year, because once you’ve done the final, everything else is less. It’s such an event, such a thing.
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