Finalists Announced for BBC's Last Pundit Standing
Twelve content creators have been competing to become the BBC's next football expert, and now only two finalists remain.
The selected twelve, part of the Last Pundit Standing competition, were chosen in collaboration with TikTok from over 400 applicants, showcasing some of the UK's most passionate football enthusiasts.
Throughout six episodes, contestants faced various challenges posed by renowned figures in football, all set against iconic football venues.
The winner will be revealed on Monday, with the final episode available on BBC iPlayer, as well as on BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok accounts starting at 06:00 BST.
The competition is fierce, as the victor will secure a contract as a BBC Sport football contributor.
So, who will be crowned the Last Pundit Standing? BBC Sport introduces the two finalists.
Nahyan Chowdhury @nahyan.chowdhury
Nahyan Chowdhury, a 25-year-old from Liverpool, describes himself as one of the less experienced content creators in the competition. He currently works full-time as a chemist and began creating videos related to boxing and MMA for fun, only starting to post regularly in 2024.
His passion for sports media ignited after a video he made at a Champions League match went viral, leading to interviews with notable players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
"During school, I loved both sport and science. I always thought I would become a pharmacist, never imagining a career in media," he reflected. "I studied chemistry and now work in a lab from 9 to 5. The past six months have been a whirlwind, going from interviewing top players to participating in this show."
Nahyan initially felt out of place among the other contestants, but he made an immediate impact in the first episode. His journey to the final began with a warm-up task at Goodison Park, where he successfully hit the crossbar during a challenge at an Everton Premier League game, the only contestant to do so.
"In the first episode, I felt out of place surrounded by creators with massive followings. I thought I didn’t deserve to be there until I hit the crossbar, which earned me respect from the others. I may be the new kid on the block, but they had to take me seriously," he said.
Throughout the series, contestants competed in significant challenges, with points awarded to the weekly winner. After five episodes, the top four creators advanced to the semi-finals, while others were eliminated. Nahyan won two of the five challenges and was named pundit of the week by Arsenal legend Martin Keown and referee Rebecca Welch for his performances.
"My favorite moment was definitely hitting the crossbar at Goodison Park. It felt like a fairytale, being the underdog when everyone else had missed," Nahyan stated. "The 5 Live 606 radio show challenge with Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage was also a highlight, where I enjoyed bantering with them while taking random callers."
Toby Addison @blindtobes
Toby Addison identifies as a content creator, disability advocate, and blind footballer. Diagnosed with early onset rod cone dystrophy and retinitis pigmentosa at the age of two, he lost his sight at 16 and paused his football career for eight years. He now plays blind football for England and made his senior debut in San Diego in 2024.
"When I lost my sight, I adapted my life using a cane and screen readers. I don’t focus on my lack of vision; I can see light and tell it’s daytime, but I can’t see anyone in front of me," the 23-year-old from Chichester explained. "I discovered blind football at 21, which reignited my love for the game and inspired my content creation."
After a clip of him went viral in January 2022, Toby responded to skepticism about his condition by creating his own videos. Now, he collaborates with his partner Natalie, who edits his content, and has amassed a social media following of over 420,000.
"It may sound arrogant, but I was confident I would be selected for Last Pundit Standing. I stand out as a blind footballer, which is rare. I thought, ‘why not go for it?’" Toby remarked. "Being chosen from such a large pool of applicants felt amazing; believing in yourself is crucial, and I think few from that 400 would back themselves as much as I did."
Like Nahyan, Toby was also named pundit of the week twice, winning for his performance in the 606 challenge and for a semi-final interview with former Everton, Watford, and Burnley manager Sean Dyche. "In those two weeks, you saw both my serious side, as I engaged with Dyche, and my entertaining side during the 606 challenge with Savage and Sutton. This versatility is essential for a pundit and likely contributed to my advancement to the final," he shared.
'You Won't Hear the End of Us'
The final episode will air on Monday, where the winner will be announced by Alex Scott at Wembley on FA Cup final day. "This experience has been life-changing and a significant learning opportunity," Nahyan expressed. "Coming from an immigrant family, football wasn’t a big part of my upbringing. I knew from the moment I joined the show that it could transform my life. I told my mum that just being on one episode made me a winner already, and reaching the semi-finals felt like a turning point for me."
Toby added, "We both have compelling stories leading into the final. Nahyan is the underdog, while I bring experience as a blind footballer. This opportunity will greatly benefit both our careers."