TV
Motor-racing commentator Murray Walker is to retire at the end of the current season, he confirmed today.
The 77-year-old has been the voice of Formula One for 51 years, spending 40 years with the BBC and 11 with ITV. Explaining his decision to quit, he said: "I just woke up one morning recently and thought 'that's it, the time has come'.
"I will be 78 years old at the end of the 2001 season. I will have been commentating on Formula One and other motor sport for 52 years. I just felt now is the time to stop. I like to think I'm always ahead of the game mentally, though I know a lot of people think I'm not."
ITV Sport Controller, Brian Barnwick, has said that Walker's colleague James Allen will be given "first opportunity" to replace him. "James Allen picked up the baton at short notice and did a great job. He will get his opportunity next year ahead of, and above and beyond, any other candidate we may wish to consider."
Speaking of Murray, he said, "I hope not to lose Murray totally from our coverage. I hope his wealth of knowledge will pop up elsewhere, outside the commentary box. We are losing a unique character, someone who has been synonymous with his sport. ITV Sport owes a debt of gratitude to Murray."
The 77-year-old has been the voice of Formula One for 51 years, spending 40 years with the BBC and 11 with ITV. Explaining his decision to quit, he said: "I just woke up one morning recently and thought 'that's it, the time has come'.
"I will be 78 years old at the end of the 2001 season. I will have been commentating on Formula One and other motor sport for 52 years. I just felt now is the time to stop. I like to think I'm always ahead of the game mentally, though I know a lot of people think I'm not."
ITV Sport Controller, Brian Barnwick, has said that Walker's colleague James Allen will be given "first opportunity" to replace him. "James Allen picked up the baton at short notice and did a great job. He will get his opportunity next year ahead of, and above and beyond, any other candidate we may wish to consider."
Speaking of Murray, he said, "I hope not to lose Murray totally from our coverage. I hope his wealth of knowledge will pop up elsewhere, outside the commentary box. We are losing a unique character, someone who has been synonymous with his sport. ITV Sport owes a debt of gratitude to Murray."
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