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Tributes are paid to former sports presenter Tony Gubba

Tributes are paid to former sports presenter Tony Gubba

TRIBUTES have been paid to the former sports presenter Tony Gubba who passed away at the age of 69.

Mr. Gubba spent most of his broadcasting career with the BBC. He had started out in newspapers and was the Daily Mirror’s north of England correspondent before joining the BBC in 1972. 

His first position with the broadcaster was as presenter of the midweek sports  programme Sportsnight — taking over from David Coleman.

It was the start of a long and very successful career in front of the camera. His great skills as a presenter were also matched by those of a commentator. He went on to present Match of the Day and Grandstand, while in commentating he proved to be an all-rounder — covering a range of sports including football, golf, tennis, bobsleigh and ski-jumping.

He held the distinction of having covered every Olympics, both summer and winter, since 1972 until 2012, and the football World Cup from 1974 to 2006.

Mr. Gubba once revealed that he had been inspired to become a sports commentator after listening the great John Arlott covering cricket.

In 2006, Mr. Gubba became the commentator on ITV’s Dancing On Ice show. 

He passed away following a short illness.

Among the many people to pay tribute to the veteran broadcaster was the BBC’s head of TV sport, Philip Bernie. He said: “Tony was an outstanding sports journalist and formidable broadcaster. He worked on a hugh range of sports during his time at the BBC, always displaying his trademark tenaciousness and single-minded approach.”

Mr. Bernie added: “For a generation he was one of the most familiar and respected names in sports broadcasting”.

Mr. Gubba is survived by his partner of 15 years, Jenny, and his two daughters.

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