Former England cricketer and celebrated commentator David Lloyd retired from commentary duties with broadcaster Sky Sports on Tuesday, a month after he apologised to Azeem Rafiq and the Asian community over racism row at county club Yorkshire. Lloyd was named in Rafiq's testimony about a culture of widespread racism in the county team.
Lloyd, nonetheless, was one of the most-followed commentators, having spent 22 years behind the microphone for Sky Cricket. He joined the commentary team in 1999 and became a mainstay there, calling some of the biggest cricket series, including The Ashes.
David Lloyd, famously called as "Bumble", took to social media to post a heartfelt note, thanking his fans for the support over the years for his work behind the microphone.
I’m personally gutted tbh but knew he couldn’t stay.
Thanks for the memories Bumble 👍🏼♥️
Thought this thread was abot leaving the dating app... must admit I'm not that impressed with it...
I had to google that shit……..wtf, I’m very old 😳😂😂😂
It's funny how opinions differ, I didn't like Bumble's contributions at all, in fact I'd often silence the audio when he came on. I'm not a fan of Atherton or Nasser either, although I like Ian Ward and Rob Key. I think Isha and Ebony are also very good as is Mark Butcher. Good luck to Bumble in his retirement.
Without going into the racist row it is a great pity that Bumble will be no more on the airwaves. I wish him well as one of the best along with Arlott & Johnson.
Without going into the racist row it is a great pity that Bumble will be no more on the airwaves. I wish him well as one of the best along with Arlott & Johnson.
Arlott, Johnson and Blowers?
John Arlott - possibly before your time? There was also Richie Benaud - the best
No LL, I remember the gravelly voice of John Arlott as if it was yesterday. Apparently, co-commentators knew when JL was arriving before play by the sound of chinking bottles in his carry bag. As for my age I passed a medical for my 80th yesterday - coming up April - should have put that on the “nice thing happened today” thread.
He was always great as the "doesnt take himself too seriously" character. I'll certainly miss him on comms for sure.
The bigger recent loss IMO is Michael Holding. A true great commentator - one of the overwhelming memories of my childhood is him saying "runs" as someone creams a beautiful cover drive to the boundary.
This. 'A lickle tickle to gully' is one of the most beautiful-sounding sentences ever uttered. A wonderful man - principled, intelligent, forthright and immensely likeable. Loved Bumble too, but Holding for me was the ultimate cricket commentator, along with Richie Benaud.
Holding and Benaud are to cricket commentary what Attenborough is to nature documentaries.
No LL, I remember the gravelly voice of John Arlott as if it was yesterday. Apparently, co-commentators knew when JL was arriving before play by the sound of chinking bottles in his carry bag. As for my age I passed a medical for my 80th yesterday - coming up April - should have put that on the “nice thing happened today” thread.
I remember laying on the settee, closing my eyes and listening to the pleasing thud of leather on willow, gentle applause and John Arlott describing the position of the Sun and the size of the gas holders at the Oval. Pure poetry.
No LL, I remember the gravelly voice of John Arlott as if it was yesterday. Apparently, co-commentators knew when JL was arriving before play by the sound of chinking bottles in his carry bag. As for my age I passed a medical for my 80th yesterday - coming up April - should have put that on the “nice thing happened today” thread.
Well done mate, I hope many more years for you to come.
I met him at the Oval many years ago. He was very approachable and easy to talk to. He told me Sylvester Clarke was the fastest bowler he had ever faced. I loved his commentary on SKY and along with Michael Holding they will be very hard to replace.
What a situation we have reached. cannot say what I really think about loosing Bumble. i am sure he is no racist, the wokes miss the point loosing Bumble to a suspected racial issue does not help eliminate prejudice.
Michael Holding has given a couple of powerful interviews about racism, and racism in Cricket. As woke simply means anti racist, some would describe him as woke. His interview indicated racism is still a problem. Some on here have mentioned liking Michael Holding when he is broadcasting during games, similar to some mentioning liking David Lloyd broadcasting during games.
I think he is the best TV commentator in any sport. When he comes on the volume goes up. When he needs to be serious he gets the tone spot on. When the game is dull he is entertaining.
Sky's coverage without him and Mikey has really gone down the second this news has come out.
What the great thing about Bumble was he was a people person. Was in tune with us ordinary people, and loved by so many.
Not my favourite test commentator but imo he has been a big help in raising the profile of domestic 20/20 to the tv audience. The mascot race will never be the same.
I suppose you could call DL the commentary box comedian but that would detract enormously from his knowledge and his service to the game. I wish him a long and happy retirement .One of the very best.
Bumble played with Farokh Engineer and Clive Lloyd and many more players from around the world in an era when racism was even more prevalent that it is now. Nasser Hussein has penned an article in which he says he is "proud to call him a friend". Ebony Rainford-Brent said: "It has been an absolute joy working with Bumble over the last few years. Sad to see him hang up his boots but he has bought a lot of joy to a lot of people. Will be missed in the comm box." Those and many more that he dealt with in his 50 plus years in cricket, including Michael Holding, would have "outed" Lloyd as a racist a long time ago if that really were to be the case.
Ill advised comment(s) for which he has apologised does not make Lloyd a racist. It makes him stupid for doing so. Show me the person that has never done or said something stupid in their life and I will show you a liar. It's called being human.
In the meantime, I thank Lloyd for the entertainment he has brought to the game. It's a sad day for those of us who looked forward to listening and watching him. As was the case when the insightful Michael Holding and David Gower left the commentary team. They have left a massive hole.
Test player, first class umpire, international coach, commentator. I hope his unparalleled experience and knowledge isn't wasted. But I wish him a long and very happy retirement.
One of the enjoyable things about watching cricket on TV is the commentary, none of the hysteria, hyperbole and bullshit that a lot of football commentary falls into (apart from the current Ashes coverage from Oz that is).
Like the greatest of them all, Richie Benaud, correcting a colleague said, “The Titanic was a disaster, this is a game of cricket”.
Sad that two of the best have moved on this year, no more will we hear Mikey greet the heavy roller with “Time to crush some ants”, and Bumble explain the health benefits of shellfish -“puts lead in your pencil”. And, not forgetting, most importantly, they knew the game inside out.
Michael Holding has given a couple of powerful interviews about racism, and racism in Cricket. As woke simply means anti racist, some would describe him as woke. His interview indicated racism is still a problem. Some on here have mentioned liking Michael Holding when he is broadcasting during games, similar to some mentioning liking David Lloyd broadcasting during games.
How on earth does 'woke simply means anti-racist'?
Wouldn't be a total surprise to hear him turn up at Talksport or BT Sport At 74 he might just be retiring As written, the transcripts attributed to him in the Rafiq affair are damning. Not that he'll be remotely bothered, he's got all that money coming in from his fitness business.
Comments
I'm not a fan of Atherton or Nasser either, although I like Ian Ward and Rob Key. I think Isha and Ebony are also very good as is Mark Butcher. Good luck to Bumble in his retirement.
Holding and Benaud are to cricket commentary what Attenborough is to nature documentaries.
He was very approachable and easy to talk to.
He told me Sylvester Clarke was the fastest bowler he had ever faced.
I loved his commentary on SKY and along with Michael Holding they will be very hard to replace.
Good luck Bumble.
cannot say what I really think about loosing Bumble.
i am sure he is no racist, the wokes miss the point loosing Bumble to a suspected racial issue does not help eliminate prejudice.
Some on here have mentioned liking Michael Holding when he is broadcasting during games, similar to some mentioning liking David Lloyd broadcasting during games.
Sky's coverage without him and Mikey has really gone down the second this news has come out.
What the great thing about Bumble was he was a people person. Was in tune with us ordinary people, and loved by so many.
The mascot race will never be the same.
Ill advised comment(s) for which he has apologised does not make Lloyd a racist. It makes him stupid for doing so. Show me the person that has never done or said something stupid in their life and I will show you a liar. It's called being human.
In the meantime, I thank Lloyd for the entertainment he has brought to the game. It's a sad day for those of us who looked forward to listening and watching him. As was the case when the insightful Michael Holding and David Gower left the commentary team. They have left a massive hole.
Like the greatest of them all, Richie Benaud, correcting a colleague said, “The Titanic was a disaster, this is a game of cricket”.
Sad that two of the best have moved on this year, no more will we hear Mikey greet the heavy roller with “Time to crush some ants”, and Bumble explain the health benefits of shellfish -“puts lead in your pencil”. And, not forgetting, most importantly, they knew the game inside out.
At 74 he might just be retiring
As written, the transcripts attributed to him in the Rafiq affair are damning.
Not that he'll be remotely bothered, he's got all that money coming in from his fitness business.