John Gwynne, who was the voice of Sky Sports’ darts coverage for two decades before his retirement in 2013, has passed away at the age of 77.
Gwynne covered 20 world championships and 20 global matchplay for the broadcaster and was a recognizable face on the network, reporting on soccer events on Soccer Saturday and covering sports as diverse as cricket, rugby league, and speedway.
His son, Labour’s shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne, stated on Twitter: “It is with great regret that I must report that my wonderful father died away at 8:05 this morning. His 18-month fight against cancer is finally done.”
Jeff Stelling, a fellow Sky Sports presenter, paid tribute to Gwynne by saying, “John was blessed with one of the greatest voices of all time, and he put it to good use on Soccer Saturday, whether he was at his beloved Manchester City or Rochdale, describing the action with the same wonderful blend of gravitas, humor, and, always, passion.
“I first met John when he was a member of the all-time greatest darts commentary team alongside Sid Waddell and Dave Lanning. Sadly, all three have now passed away. I had the privilege of working with John, laughing with him, singing with him, and most importantly, listening to him. The broadcasting industry has lost a unique voice and a unique man.”
Steve Smith, the executive director of programming for Sky Sports, said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of John’s passing. He was a highly regarded broadcaster who brought wonderful wit and energy to our television screens with one of the most famous voices in the business.
John was a consummate professional and a beloved member of the Sky Sports family; he will be missed by all.
Before joining Sky Sports, Gwynne reported on darts for radio, having previously worked as a schoolteacher. 2014 marked his induction into the Professional Darts Corporation’s Hall of Fame.
