Sue Barker is truly a national treasure

Sports Personality Awards won’t be the same without her.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominations were announced this week.

Of course, it’ll be the first time in 20 years that my old pal Sue Barker won’t be hosting.

She really is a national treasure and she was nice enough to let me stay at her house in Florida this week.

Yes, I know, it’s lovely having friends like that!

Thinking back, I’ve known her for 23 years ever since we got chatting at a charity event.

When she retired she was always a bit reluctant to play again.

However, I’m a huge tennis fan so she took me to Wimbledon and played against me on court 13 which was one of the best experiences of my life.

When I went to the changing room it was so wonderfully old fashioned and British.

The cloakroom attendant asked if I’d like him to draw me a bath. That didn’t happen at the old Broomhill courts in Glasgow!

Sue is always wonderfully gracious on court and I remember at one stage she started commentating.

I thought I was doing quite well until she stepped it up. I swear, I didn’t even see the ball as it went past me.

We became really good friends and got involved with a Federations Cup charity game in Nottingham.

We played mixed doubles with Cliff Richard and Virginia Wade.

It was being filmed for TV with a massive crowd and, as we walked out, I assumed I’d be Sue’s partner.

But Virginia said she wanted to play with me so my first serve was to Sue.

Even though it was just a charity game I felt I was going to look a complete idiot. So, I threw the ball up in the air, shut my eyes and just hit it as hard as I could.

To everyone’s amazement including Sue I aced her.

It was a total fluke and just about the only ball I got in all game but one of the best moments.

Her husband Lance is a big pal of mine and he says she’s never forgiven me for that.

Everyone always asks if she’s really as nice as she appears and, honestly, she’s just the loveliest of people.

She was always brilliant with my mum and dad. The first year she got them Wimbledon tickets it rained both days.

But my mum and dad were still happy as they sat on Centre Court eating their strawberries and cream.

Sue said people sometimes didn’t appreciate the tickets but that my parents could have tickets for as long as they wanted.

And until my dad passed away she was as good as her word.

But the other thing about Sue is that she’s one of the most skilled broadcasters I’ve met.

When we first met she was with Sky and I was going out with Anna Walker.

Sue was new to it all and would always be asking Anna about things.

She brought that work ethic from tennis into broadcasting.

I know a lot of experienced broadcasters have gone in to work alongside her at big events presuming Sue had an autocue.

But she didn’t she was just that good.

If you think back to Wimbledon in the days when there was no roof over Centre Court, Sue could be there for hours chatting during bad weather.

She was simply sensational and one of the finest broadcasters we’ve ever had.

I know she’s at that point in her life where she has worked so hard and now it’s time to take it a little bit easier and enjoy it.

Her gain of more leisure time will definitely be the viewers’ loss.

A Question Of Sport will continue and she has another long contract for Wimbledon.

I’m sure Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan will do a fine job on the Sports Personality Of The Year show. But I’m just as sure that Sue will be missed after 19 great years. It really won’t be the same.

But having sampled the joys of her Tampa house it’s right on the water and absolutely lovely I can understand why she fancies a bit more relaxation time!