Veteran tennis commentator Bill Threlfall has died at the age of 81.
After a successful career as a player and a coach, Threlfall covered 41 Wimbledon tournaments for BBC television and radio.

"He seemed as committed to his job and as enthusiastic at his final tournament as at his first," said BBC Sport tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend.

"Despite that age he was amazingly sprightly in his journeys around the world. His enthusiasm never dipped."


:( :( :(

:(

I remember his commentary well, he called the classic Henin-Capriati match at the USO '03 :(

Oh no, i liked him :( Except when he used to say 'orrrffff' instead of 'off'!!!

Looks like we will hear more from Chris Bailey et al now then :(

:(

He was always a great stalwart to the game of tennis. Will miss you Bill :(

I remember he tried to defend Lindsay after her horror show in the other semi against Kim :wacko: roflmao

I know, there wasnt anything positive at all to take from that match for lindsay, but he did manage to suger-coat it a litlle :D

It needed a lot of suger roflmao

He will be missed and it looks like we will have to listen to Barry Cowan more often. :( :badpc:

i know- death :rolleyes: roflmao

Oh sad news. :( Tbh I feel I should dislike all this middle class aged commentator stuff, But Bill was like a comfy pair of slippers and I never tired fo listening to him, a bit like Dan Maskell.

RIP bill :)

This is really sad. I hated the man but I will still miss him, I thought he was rasict but till I heard him heavily praise Monfils. I hope he goes to heaven.

Amen.

This is really sad news. RIP Bill. I will miss you greatly. My thoughts go out to his family.

Gav

Oh thats sad. :( Bill and Dan Maskell....faves of mine. Some of the young breed are good aswell, and it was interesting to have the different styles commentating together. Please though, no David Cowan :blink: I think Chris Bailey is actually surprisingly good. :D

Crikey just seen John Inman has died also :(

Really??

*goes to find news*

I feel bad now that I was rude about him last week on another thread :( He'd lost his touch a bit recently but I hadn't realised he was 81. RIP Bill.

Never was a big fan of Threlfall's commentary to be honest - found him a bit condascending and haughty. However, I have admiration for his commitment and dedication to the game he loved. Didn't realise he was so old. There aren't so many 'old school' types like Threlfall around these days - people you associate of belonging to the era when grasscourt tennis really was the be-all and end-all of the game.

Got to admit that I'm not really keen on most of the British commentators, with exception of David Mercer and Sam Smith who are both excellent.

:cry: he was my fave commentator

RIP Bill

I don't think we need to recall particular matches - he was a true gent, lovely to listen to, and you could tell right to the very end he loved watching tennis. God bless Bill! :)

I wanted to recall a famous match he did, that ok by you?

hmm.........

Dav it ain't relevant mate - show some respect :)

He was known for commentating, I mentioned a famous match he called, a match I personally remember him for...

A good way of showing respect would be for you to keep your BS out of this topic :)

Given his day job... I think if you have certain matches you want to remember him for, thats a nice way to remember him :)

I remember him for his plummy accent, and for never shutting up about Nadals balls and length

Stop being disrespectful Liam! roflmao

:rolleyes:

roflmao but i liked him :) Just lets not talk about John Inman dropping dead then i will be in trouble :rolleyes:

totally agree hun

:)

Im sure he would be pleased that people remember him commentating such a classic :)