Sue Barker: Wimbledon host opens up on 'hard' time with husband Lance after family loss

A Question of Sport presenter Sue Barker, 64, who has been married to her former policeman husband Lance Tankard since 1988, opened up about the “hard” time they had after losing their two dogs to cancer five years ago. The ex professional tennis player fronts today’s BBC’s Our Wimbledon, which features legends who have played at the London-based tournament.

Sue, who has presented the likes of Wimbledon and the Olympics over the years, discussed the tragic time after losing her pets in an unearthed article.

In a MailOnline column in 2016, the BBC broadcaster divulged: “Last year was hard for Lance and me, as we lost two dogs to cancer.

“First our beloved Bosley went aged nine. He was one of five Rottweilers we’ve had and was very special,” she shared.

“When he died I said to Lance, ‘We can’t just replace him with another Rottweiler,’ so we got Charlie, a four-year-old cocker spaniel rescue dog,” she reflected.

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“I’ll miss just being there with people like Mac (John McEnroe), Boris (Becker), Tim (Henman), Andy Castle and everyone.”

While the nation misses out on the live-action from Wimbledon this year, the BBC is currently showing classic matches from over the years.

Sue will also continue to work on behalf of the tournament by presenting a documentary, Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon, with the BBC.

The one-off programme will follow Sue, who won the French Open in 1976, speaking to the likes of Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Billie Jean King about their precious memories and experiences of the tournament.

The broadcaster will also meet with the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, who is president of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

Throughout Sue’s career as a professional tennis player, she has won 15 WTA Tour singles titles, including her iconic Grand Slam singles title more than four decades ago.

It all began for the star after she was selected as one of the two girls who would receive tennis coaching from Arthur Roberts when she was ten-years-old.

Sue’s broadcasting days came after she became a commentator and sports reporter for Australia’s Channel 7 in 1985.

Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon airs from 3:15 on Saturday from BBC One.

source: express.co.uk