Over and out: Henry Blofeld to retire from BBC radio cricket commentary – The Guardian

Henry Blofeld, right, said he leaves the Test Match Special programme in the safest of hands led by Jonathan Agnew. Photograph: Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images

Henry Blofeld will retire from his role as commentator on the BBCs Test Match Special programme in September. The 77-year-old, affectionately known as Blowers, has worked on TMS since 1972, and his final match will be the Test between England and the West Indies at Lords which starts on 7 September.

All good things come to an end, he said in a statement. After nearly 50 years in the Test Match Special commentary box, I have decided the time has come for the last of the old farts to hang up his microphone.

In all honesty, at the age of almost 78, although I am still rather keener than mustard, I find it harder work than I once did. And I wouldnt want to let TMS down.

You havent heard my final my dear old thing quite yet. Happily, I shall be commentating next month on the first two Tests against South Africa, and then for the last one of the summer against the West Indies at Lords.

I leave, supremely confident that TMS is in the safest of hands, led by the ageless Aggers [Jonathan Agnew]. In the end, I think he will come to be seen as the best of the lot. Listeners will now be relieved to know that their chances of being told the right name of the fielders at third man and fine leg have greatly increased.

I hope some will be sad that they will now hear less about the lifestyles of pigeons, seagulls, and helicopters, although I fear the general feeling will be one of huge relief.

I shall be able to come to the cricket without worrying about who is lurking down at third man. I shall also be able to have a drink without feeling I am being politically incorrect. And hallelujah to that!

Blofeld, who was awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to broadcasting, stated his favourite memory behind the microphone was the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley when Ian Bothams unbeaten 149 and Bob Willis eight for 43 secured England a thrilling 18-run victory.

Many of Blofelds peers paid tribute to him on Twitter. Former England captain and TMS regular Michael Vaughan said: Many players have bought joy to thousands but I cant think of anyone who has bought more joy to the airwaves than @blowersh #MyDearOldThing.

TMS producer Adam Mountford added Blofeld has an incredible thirst for cricket and fellow commentator Alison Mitchell claimed he is unparalleled at painting pictures with words.

A tweet from the England cricket teams official account read: Thanks for the memories @blowersh and all the best in your retirement.

Jonathan Agnew has shared a commentary box with Blofeld for many years, and he told BBC Radio 5 live: Ill miss Henry. His enthusiasm, his company, his chaos. Henry is one of those characters that really set up Test Match Special.

Its the legacy of people like him who in the 70s and 80s really developed this style of programme that people have been trying to copy ever since, including me. They were enormous characters who were also outstanding broadcasters.

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Over and out: Henry Blofeld to retire from BBC radio cricket commentary - The Guardian