BBC Breakfast host announces heartbreaking death as | UK News
BBC Breakfast paid tribute to the legendary rugby league commentator Ray French during Sunday’s show. Presenters Rachel Burden and Roger Johnson handed over to Hugh Ferris to element the newest sports activities information as he instructed viewers the tragic information.
He stated: “Ray French, the voice of Rugby League on the BBC for nearly 4 many years, has died at the age of 85.”
Viewers had been then proven an outdated rugby match with Ray’s voice talking over the highest, exhibiting his ardour for the game.
Hugh added: “After a career that saw him represent England and Great Britain in both rugby codes, he turned his hand to commentary, becoming one of the most distinctive voices in sport.
“He was made an MBE for companies to rugby league in 2011 before his eventual retirement in 2019. There is never a more distinct voice for any sport, Roger and Rachel.”
Passing back over to the two BBC Breakfast presenters, Roger took a moment to share some kind words.
He shared: “Absolutely, our ideas are with his household and family members.”
Over the years, Ray had been battling dementia, although it’s not known when the sporting voice was diagnosed.
The Rugby Football League, the English game’s governing body, paid tribute to the star on X, writing: “Ray made an immense and distinctive contribution to the game of Rugby League – and is best remembered as the BBC‘s Rugby League commentator from 1981 to 2008.”
It wasn’t long before tributes started pouring in, with one person commenting: “Very unhappy, RIP and condolences to his household. Absolutely implausible commentator on Rugby League.”
Another shared: “RIP Ray. You had been a large half of my enjoyment of watching RL as a child.”
Someone else wrote: “Legend of the game and a totally down-to-earth good bloke. Loved listening to his commentaries on @BBCSport and @bbcmerseyside, the way in which he referred to as the sport was as if he took you with him to the match. R.I.P. Ray, and thanks for the recollections.”
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