BBC SPORT BROADCASTER David Coleman has died at the age of 87, his family announced today.
Remembered chiefly for his work as an athletics commentator, Coleman worked at the BBC for almost 50 years, covering 11 Olympic Games and six football World Cups.
“We regret to announce the death of David Coleman OBE. After a short illness he died peacefully with his family at his bedside,” his family said in a short statement.
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The BBC’s Director-General, Tony Hall, said: “David Coleman was one of this country’s greatest and most respected broadcasters. Generations grew up listening to his distinctive and knowledgeable commentary.
“Whether presenting, commentating or offering analysis, he set the standard for all today’s sports broadcasters. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends.”
Coleman joined the BBC in 1954 and was affectionately known for on-air blunders that became known as ‘Colemanballs’.
His parents from Cork, Coleman was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for services to broadcasting in 1992 and retired in 2000.
In the year of his retirement, he became the first broadcaster to receive an Olympic Order medal to recognise his contribution to the Olympic movement.
A fantastic voice to listen to,one of those unique ones that you would pick out in an instant without seeing a face. may he RIP.Ya kinda know you’re getting old yourself when you remember all these fantastic commentators from the pre SKY Sports era,the likes of Dickie Davis,John Motson,Jimmy Hill,Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves. Used to love the Saint and Greavsie show,ah happy memories come flooding back to simpler times. I’ll finish with one of his legendary gaffes,made me smile,hope it does the same for you. “And here’s Moses Kiptanui – the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago”.
The BBC/ITV have been blessed with some great commentators down through the years, Dan Maskell, David Coleman, Brian Moore, Ted Lowe, John Motson, Barry Davies, David Vine, Tony Gubba, and Murray Walker to name a few. David Coleman was one of the greats, and is yet another one of the great commentators now no longer with us, may he rest in peace. Finally for those who know their commentators, this is a list of the top ten commentators of all time as voted by readers of the Daily Mail in 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1131862/THE-LIST-10-1-favourite-sports-commentators-time.html.
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R.I.P. gone to that Grandstand in the sky.
The voice of many moments of sports history.
To be honest A question of Sport was never the same without him when he left .
Class Commentator with a strong Irish connection – called some great and famous events – set such a high standard for his craft !
A fantastic voice to listen to,one of those unique ones that you would pick out in an instant without seeing a face. may he RIP.Ya kinda know you’re getting old yourself when you remember all these fantastic commentators from the pre SKY Sports era,the likes of Dickie Davis,John Motson,Jimmy Hill,Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves. Used to love the Saint and Greavsie show,ah happy memories come flooding back to simpler times. I’ll finish with one of his legendary gaffes,made me smile,hope it does the same for you. “And here’s Moses Kiptanui – the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago”.
Don’t forget oul harry carpenter. .another with a remarkably distinctive voice.
And Bill Mc Laren, and Peter O Sullivan. The BBC produced sone great commentators.
RIP shur we all grew up with him.
He was a great commentator, he could make a boring match exciting.
My dad says he remembers watching a program in 1964 called sportsnight on BBC and the TV picture was very fuzzy the host was David Coleman.
A word way over used these days but he is a true legend
Class act. R.I.P.
RIP another ledgendary BBC commentator….
His name lives on in Colmanballs at the Private Eye
Very distinctive commentator. Reminded me of Brian Moore, another class act.
The BBC/ITV have been blessed with some great commentators down through the years, Dan Maskell, David Coleman, Brian Moore, Ted Lowe, John Motson, Barry Davies, David Vine, Tony Gubba, and Murray Walker to name a few. David Coleman was one of the greats, and is yet another one of the great commentators now no longer with us, may he rest in peace. Finally for those who know their commentators, this is a list of the top ten commentators of all time as voted by readers of the Daily Mail in 2009.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1131862/THE-LIST-10-1-favourite-sports-commentators-time.html.
Grandstand on Saturday was brilliant,a great commentator,rest In peace.
“Don’t tell those coming in on the final result of that fantastic match, but let’s just have another look at Italy’s winning goal.”
R.I.P David, many great commentaries over the years.