5:03PM, Sun Aug 12, 2012

Sky Sports Darts Commentary Legend Sid Waddell Dies Aged 72

Legendary darts commentartor Sid Waddell on....Sid Waddell

Sky Sports’ darts commentator Sid Waddell has died aged 72 after losing his battle with bowel cancer.

Waddell, originally from Lynemouth, was a well-loved member of the Sky Sports commentary team.

He became the voice of the sport for Sky and was diagnosed with the disease in September 2011.

After a brief break from commentary, he returned to work and went on to commentate again on the sport.

He was a well known fervent Newcastle United fan.

Waddell graduated from Cambridge with a 2:1 in Modern History and moved into broadcasting in 1966 with Granada Television before moving onto Yorkshire Television and in 1976, he moved to the BBC.

Video: Former darts world champion Eric Bristow pays tribute to Sid Waddell

In 1994, Waddell moved to Sky Sports and became the ‘voice of darts’ alongside commentating on other sports such as nine-ball pool.

Waddell also published numerous books including biographies of some of darts’ biggest names like Phil Taylor.

His 1973 novel Bedroll Bella was banned in some book stores and in 2009 he published ‘The Road Back Home’; a memoir of his childhood in a pit village.

Waddell was well known for his turn of phrase when commentating on darts and notable quotes include:

Video: Sky Sports' Dave Clark pays tribute to his colleague and friend Sid Waddell

“We couldn’t have more excitement if Elvis waslked in and asked for a chip sandwich.”

“Bristow reasons…Bristow quickens….Aaaah, Bristow.”

“Taylor could land a Boeing 747 on a kayak.”

“I cannot believe my Geordie eyes.”

“Wade is like a man trying to eat candy floss in a Hadron Collider.”

Waddell is survived by his wife Irene with whom he had a joint family of five children.