SKI SUNDAY, the BBC’s long-running winter sports show, has been axed after almost 50 years on air.

The corporation announced in a statement that the programme, which was first broadcast in 1978, will no longer be produced as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures.

David Vine was the first presenter of the weekly show that created household names in Britain out of alpine skiers like Franz Klammer, Konrad Bartelski and Michela Figini.

It became equally famous for its theme tune, a stirring violin-led arrangement called “Pop Looks Bach,” which was composed by Sam Fontey.

The BBC said in a statement: “Changing audience behaviours and the tough financial decisions needed to meet savings requirements mean BBC Sport must continually review how it delivers value for licence fee payers and serves audiences across all platforms. This decision forms part of that process.”

Among its most famous broadcasts was a 1981 World Cup men’s downhill race from Val Gardena in which British outsider Bartelski finished second, prompting Vine to say: “The race we thought was all over – and then the Union Jack came down the hill like a rocket.”

In recent years, Ski Sunday evolved into a magazine-style programme with a broader winter sports remit. Its final presenters were Ed Leigh and British former downhill racer Chemmy Alcott.

The demise of Ski Sunday follows that of Football Focus, which was discontinued after 52 years on air earlier this year.