Matt Baker returned to screens at the weekend to host coverage of the Gymnastics World Championships
Matt Baker paid tribute to his co-stars(Image: BBC)
BBC viewers were left feeling emotional over the weekend.
Matt Baker returned to screens on Sunday (October 25) to present live coverage of the concluding apparatus finals on the final day of the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships. Matt was joined in the studio by retired British gymnast Beth Tweddle.
The women’s floor discipline was among those taking place in Rotterdam, with USA athlete Claire Pease winning the title with a dominant score of 13.866. Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour won the gold in the balance beam final, while Artur Davtyan, Zou Jingyuan, and Tang Chia-Hung took home the final men’s titles.
During the coverage, Matt announced that his fellow commentators, Christine Still and Craig Heap, would be leaving the team after many years on air. Ahead of the men’s finals getting underway, Matt said: “I just want to take a moment to say a heartfelt and a massive thank you to two very special people, who are sitting either side of me right now.
“And for those of you who’ve enjoyed our gymnastics coverage on the BBC over the years, you will be very familiar with the wonderful voices of Christine Still and Craig Heap. Now, Christine was one of the first female commentators that BBC Sport has ever had, when she started back in 1993.
“And here we are, Christine, 33 years on. Craig, you joined the team just before Rio in 2016, and, along the way, we have witnessed some incredible moments together.”
An emotional montage of some of Christine and Craig’s memorable moments was then played, before the camera panned to the stars in the commentary box. “Wonderful pictures and wonderful storytelling,” Matt said.
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He went on: “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this could be the last time that we all sit together and enjoy the gymnastics. Christine, we have worked together for 20 years. You’ve been like a mum to me, you really have, as we’ve travelled all over the world together. And may I say, I’ve loved every single second.”
Matt then turned to Craig, saying, “We’ve been friends for many, many years. I’ve loved your company, mate. Honestly, I’m so gonna miss you both, I really am.”
“We’ll miss you as well, Matt. I’ve been so lucky,” Christine replied, before Craig added: “All good things have to come to an end, I guess… I’m going to miss you all… I’ll stop right there before I start crying.”
BBC viewers were left feeling emotional after watching Matt’s tribute. “Gonna be so weird not hearing Christine Still and Craig Heap commentating on gymnastics on the BBC anymore,” one person wrote on X.
Another added: “Omg Craig and Christine are leaving.” A third said, “I’m actually in tears. End of an era.”
Someone else commented: “I am gutted. Gutted the trio are no longer together.” A fifth viewer similarly shared: “That is so sad. I watch the gymnastics in the Olympic Games and not hearing their voices will be different… They will be missed.”
Coverage of the Gymnastics World Championships is available to stream on BBC iPlayer