Dancing on Ice announcer Tony Gubba dies

Monday 11 March 2013

Sports presenter Tony Gubba, who was known to millions of viewers as the voice of Dancing On Ice, has died at the age of 69.

His death - after a short illness - was announced by his family, just hours after the final of the ITV celebrity ice dancing contest.

Gubba spent much of his TV career working for the BBC, as a commentator and presenter for Saturday sports show Grandstand as well as the midweek sports show Sportsnight.

Dancing On Ice presenter Philip Schofield was among those who paid tribute today, and said his colleagues on the show would miss him. "We were all aware how poorly he was but this is very sudden and is a dreadful to everyone who knew and loved him," he said. "A genuinely delightful, kind, dedicated and talented man." Schofield, who said he was speaking with the "saddest of hearts", went on: "All my love and condolences to his family. I'm so glad I had the privilege of working with him and getting to know him. All of us at Dancing on Ice will miss him terribly." Gubba had been with the ITV show since its launch in 2006. After a stint as a newspaper reporter, Gubba joined BBC Sport in 1972 replacing David Coleman as the presenter of Sportsnight. He later went on to work on Match of the Day, both as commentator and front man, and to introduce Grandstand as a stand-in for Frank Bough. Gubba was a regular contributor to the TV coverage of the Olympic Games, both summer and winter, from 1972 to 2012 and every World Cup from 1974 to 2006. Alongside his love of football, he also voiced coverage of sports such as hockey, table tennis, golf, tennis, bobsleigh, ski jumping, darts and ice skating for the BBC. He has two daughters, Claire, 40 and Libby, 38 and three granddaughters, and had been with his partner for 15 years. Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker was among those who said he was saddened to hear of Gubba's death. He wrote on Twitter: "Deeply saddened to hear that Tony Gubba has passed away. One of the great voices of football who graced Match Of The Day for so many years." Katie Rawcliffe, the executive producer of Dancing on Ice, said: "Tony has been a huge part of Dancing On Ice and its success over the last eight years. "He brought his expertise, his warmth, and much humour to our screens. He was very much part of the team and a pleasure to work with. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time." And Keith Chegwin, who took part in this year's contest, said: "A lovely man who'll be truly missed. My thoughts are with his family." His former colleague John Motson said: "Tony was a great friend and colleague for over 40 years and I shall miss him greatly. "He was one of the original probing reporters - never afraid to ask a difficult question." Philip Bernie, the BBC's head of TV Sport, said today: "For a generation he was one of the most familiar and respected names in sports broadcasting. "Tony was an outstanding sports journalist and a formidable broadcaster, whose death will sadden everyone at BBC Sport. "As well as working on winter and summer Olympics since 1972, and being a Match of the Day regular for over 30 years, Tony worked on a huge range of sports during his time at the BBC, always displaying his trademark tenacious, single minded approach. "Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and closest friends." Dancing On Ice stars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean spoke of their sadness as they paid tribute today. In a joint statement, they said: "Tony was a dear friend, a wonderful man and much loved by all. "It's been an absolute pleasure to work with him over the last eight years, he was always so professional and brought a real sense of fun to Dancing On Ice. "We will miss him greatly and our hearts go out to his family at this sad time."

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Dancing on Ice announcer Tony Gubba dies

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