Legendary BBC, ITV and Channel 4 racing commentator Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson announces retirement after 60 years
LEGENDARY BBC, ITV and Channel 4 racing commentator Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson has announced his retirement after 60 years behind the mic.
Perhaps known best for his role in the infamous ‘it’s a man actually, Derek’ scene on Sky Sports Racing, Thompson, 74, said he would be quitting for good at the end of next year.
https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/1799851359220666727He announced the shock news in a post on X on Christmas Day.
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Thompson, a huge figure in the much-loved years of Channel 4 racing coverage, said: “Hello this is Tommo and can I say a very Merry Christmas to you.
“It’s been quite a year on the racecourse – well done to all the stable staff, they work so hard while we’re tucking into dinner on Christmas Day, they’ll be looking after the horses so we can enjoy them.
“I’m looking ahead to 2025 and I’ve got to reveal something now, it will be my last year as a racing commentator!
“Yes, I’m going to be going around the tracks and I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be fantastic.
“I’ve been doing it for many years and 2025 is going to be my last year as a racing commentator.
“So if you want a, ‘it’s a photo!’ or ‘wow that’s one for the judge!’ come to a racecourse and say hello.
“Here’s to a fantastic 2025!”
Expanding on his decision, Tommo told the Racing Post: “I’m not getting any younger, I’ll be 75 in July.
“I’ve been doing it a long time and I’ve been thinking about it with my wife Caroline for a while.
“There are a lot of very good young people coming through and the difficult part of the job is travelling — I find that hard now.
“But it’s been my whole life and I still love it. I still go in the weighing room before each race to check the colours – Michael O’Hehir taught me to do that.
“I like to think I’m a professional but it will probably be quite emotional.
“I’ve done every track in the UK and when I’m asked which is my favourite I always say ‘the next one’, whether it’s Kempton or Sedgefield I enjoy them all.
“It’s been an honour to be able to commentate, at big tracks and small.”
Tommo memorably denied King Charles his only win as a jockey – in a charity Flat race at Plumpton in 1980 – but found his calling in the booth rather than on horseback.
He made his debut behind the mic aged just 15 calling a point-to-point meeting.
The king of the one liners then joined BBC Sport, becoming what is believed to be the youngest man to call the Grand National as part of their team at Aintree in 1973.
Thompson later went to ITV then Channel 4, where he was a popular figure in the formidable line up featuring the likes of John McCririck and Alastair Down.
In later years he became known to many as the archetypal Alan Partridge figure, thanks in part to other toe-curling lines including: “Are you well? I thought you were!”
Fans were quick to pay tribute to a legend of racing.
One said: “I loved you all over the years.”
While another commented: “The end of an era for sure.”
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