Alex Scott became emotional as Football Focus aired for the final time after 52 years on television.
The long-running BBC programme officially came to an end on Sunday following the broadcaster's controversial decision to axe the iconic football show amid declining viewing figures and mounting criticism from some fans.
Scott struggled to hold back tears during the closing moments of the final episode after being presented with a framed photograph featuring herself alongside legendary former host Bob Wilson.
The touching tribute was handed to Scott by popular pundit Garth Crooks, who returned specially for the programme's farewell broadcast.
Looking visibly moved by the gift, Scott admitted: "That's got me."
The frame also included a message reading: "Alex, congratulations for all you have achieved."
As the programme drew towards its conclusion, Scott delivered an emotional speech reflecting on Football Focus' remarkable history.
"For 52 years, wow, this show has done one thing," she said.
Alex Scott became emotional as Football Focus aired for the final time after 52 years on television
|GETTY
"Week in week out, it has brought football into your Saturday afternoons."
Scott then appeared close to tears as she addressed viewers directly.
"I won't pretend this isn't hard, as you can see," she admitted.
"But what I know is the football doesn't stop, the story doesn't stop and the goals don't stop, the drama, the heartbreak, it just finds a new home."
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Alex Scott says farewell to Football Focus after its final episode ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wD9hlgyFtd
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The former Arsenal and England star thanked everyone who had worked on the programme over the decades before inviting Wilson to deliver the final sign-off.
Now aged 84, Wilson returned for the special episode alongside several former presenters and contributors who helped shape Football Focus across generations.
"All good things come to an end," Wilson said.
"Thank you to all of you at home for watching Football Focus for the last 52 years, we've had a ball."
The final programme also featured tributes from former presenters including Dan Walker, while the show closed with a montage celebrating some of its most memorable moments.
Despite the emotional farewell on screen, reaction online remained deeply divided.
Some viewers blamed the programme's downfall on what they described as a "woke" direction in recent years.
One fan wrote on social media: "Watching the last ever Football Focus and you can see why it's come to an end... utter woke nonsense."
Alex Scott stepped up to the role at Football Focus back in 2021 only for viewership to suffer | PAAnother posted: "Football Focus… A great example of what happens when you go woke with a long standing TV programme."
A third added: "The last Football Focus is on. Died a woke death."
The BBC's decision to end the programme was first reported earlier this year following a sustained decline in viewing figures.
Audience numbers reportedly averaged close to one million viewers before the Covid pandemic and even climbed above 1.1 million during the 2020-21 season.
However, figures later dropped significantly, with some broadcasts during the 2022-23 campaign attracting fewer than 700,000 viewers.
The show also faced criticism from sections of the audience who claimed the format had become stale and lacked the sharp football analysis that once made it a Saturday lunchtime staple.