John Inverdale to leave BBC Radio 5 Live after 25 years

“I worked alongside him for many years and have no hesitation is saying he has been the pre-eminent Radio Sports presenter of his generation-truly one of the ”greats”.

“For more than thirty years he has brought the highs and lows of sporting endeavour to a grateful nation. Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup will be John’s final presenting duty for Radio 5 Live. He has done an amazing job for the BBC and we, and his listeners, will miss him.”

Inverdale started his radio career at BBC Radio Lincolnshire in 1982 before joining BBC Radio 2 as a sports reporter.

He went on to host Sport on 5 before becoming one of the main regular 5 Live presenters when the station launched in 1994.

Inverdale was also a regular golf and tennis commentator for the Beeb, presenting his final Open at Carnoustie last year.

He has courted controversy in recent years while covering Wimbledon, most infamously with his comment about 2013 champion Marion Bartoli that she “was never going to be a looker”.

Prolific North Awards entries must be in by March 22nd