EDDIE “the Eagle” Edwards has described the decision to cancel Ski Sunday as a “huge blow” and believes it could harm Britain’s progress in winter sports.

The BBC announced on Tuesday that the programme, which was first broadcast in 1978 and aired on Sunday evenings during the winter, had become the latest victim of its cost-saving measures.

Edwards, who appeared on the programme in the 1980s during his rise to fame as Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper, told BBC Breakfast: “This is a huge blow.

“For many people it used to be the only programme to watch our winter athletes. It’s very, very sad news.

“As soon as that theme tune came on, I used to run as a teenager to the front room to watch Ski Sunday. It kept me going, it made skiing so exciting for me and I absolutely loved it.”

The Winter Olympics in Italy this year was Britain’s most successful in terms of gold medals won and Edwards is concerned that the loss of Ski Sunday will have a negative impact.

“We’ve got some great winter athletes out there and that was their only [terrestrial] platform to show the rest of Great Britain that they’re out there doing their best at their sport,” he said.

“I’m very, very worried about winter athletes now that haven’t got that platform.”

The BBC cited changing audience behaviours as well as financial pressures for the decision, and Edwards admitted he has not personally watched Ski Sunday for 30 years.

“I watch a lot of ski jumping and skiing on lots of other channels now,” he added. “I can fully understand why the BBC have done it but it’s still very, very sad news.”