Mark Chapman has left the World Cup with immediate effect, ahead of this weekend's final, to present BBC radio coverage of The Open golf championship. The 52-year-old presenter, who fronted England's semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta, will not remain stateside for the final.
Chapman Reveals Plans on Podcast
On his Sports Agents podcast with fellow BBC presenter Gabby Logan, Chapman disclosed his departure. Logan asked: “Are you already kind of working out where you’re going to watch the World Cup final? Because you’re working on it, aren’t you?” Chapman replied: “No, I’m not. No, I’m not.” He added: “No, I’ll be at the golf.”
Regarding his plans for the final, Chapman said: “I’m doing The Open golf that weekend, and then I will drive back from The Open golf listening to Kelly and the build-up on the radio and then I’ll catch some of you on the telly.”
BBC Coverage Shifts
Chapman has been sharing hosting duties this summer with Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Alex Scott. The BBC's coverage has largely been produced from their Salford studio, but they were on the ground in Atlanta for England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina, with Chapman joined by Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards. Despite being stateside, he will not stay for the final.
Gabby Logan is set to present the BBC’s live coverage of the World Cup final, while Mark Pougatch is likely to host for ITV. The final will be shown on both BBC and ITV.
Chapman's Final Involvement
One of Chapman's last contributions to this year's World Cup coverage was a light-hearted exchange with pundit Micah Richards. During the broadcast, a graphic showing Jude Bellingham's contributions featured former England striker Gary Lineker high on the list. Richards, who hosts a podcast with Lineker, expressed his dislike for the statistic: "One thing I don't like on that list, another graphic that's got Gary Lineker on there. He's just text me now, he's dropping down the table, thank god for that." Chapman quickly fired back: "Gary, Gary who?" before correcting himself: "Joke, joke, joke, before everyone piles on. Goodness me."
The Open is broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, but BBC 5Live has retained radio rights, with Chapman fronting their coverage at Royal Birkdale.
