‘Inspirational’ ITV Sport presenter dies as live TV tribute planned tonight | Wales Online

‘Inspirational’ ITV Sport presenter dies as live TV tribute planned tonight | Wales Online. Tributes have poured in for former ITV football commentator Gerry Harrison, who has died at the age of 89.

Harrison was a regular fixture on screens throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most notably presenting Anglia’s staple football programme Match of the Week. The much-loved broadcaster covered six World Cups during his time with ITV, while he also worked on coverage of the Football League, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and FIFA World Club Championship over the course of his career.

A former news reporter for the Daily Express, he went on to work with several other broadcasters after leaving ITV, while he also presented a motorsport show called Wheels.

His death has prompted tributes from across the football and broadcasting world, with his former Anglia colleague Tony Jones describing him as an “inspirational figure”.

“He gave me my first job in television back in 1982 with Anglia,” said former sports reporter Jones. “And I don’t think I’m alone in saying he was an inspirational figure because I spoke to so many producers and directors and people within the TV business who said that they’ve learnt so much from him.

“He always set the highest possible standards. People will remember him in the Anglia region as a commentator and the presenter of About Anglia, as it was in those days, as a sports presenter.

“But beyond that he had a great ability to write so well for TV,” he added. “If you ever sat down and saw one of his scripts you would think ‘Who on earth is going to make sense of that?’

“But the way in which he wrote to pictures and the way in which he could deliver those scripts put him on a different level. He was such a strong figure within the television industry.”

Another former colleague, Stuart Jarrold, also paid tribute to Harrison as he described him as “the voice of East Anglian football for years” as well as “a consummate professional”.

Jarrold added: “A fantastic chap to work with and a thoroughly decent bloke, he got on well with everybody. I never, in nearly 10 years of working with him, ever had cross word.

“He was so diligent in his preparation that he made commentating sound easy. It isn’t, but he did all his research and he was a thoroughly lovely, lovely chap.”

Meanwhile, ESPN commentator Ian Darke wrote: “Very sad to hear of the death of Gerry Harrison, terrific ITV football commentator and later colleague working on shows like Premier League World.

“Always very affable and professional. Pleasure to work with and a big loss. RIP Gerry.”

ITV has now confirmed that a tribute to Harrison is planned to air during its broadcast of the EFL Cup second-round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United on Wednesday evening.