Anchorman with the lightest touch

DEATH OF BBC BROADCASTER DAVID VINE

“STEAM FROM a kettle.” That was how David Vine once described presenting sport on television. But when it came to hot air in the cause of sport few have been more adept at the art.

So much so that for 25 years or so Vine’s distinctive Devon burr was synonymous with some of sport’s greatest moments.

Whether it was introducing the irreverent Harvey Smith at the Horse of the Year Show, verbally jousting with John McEnroe at Wimbledon, hosting Match of the Day, Grandstand, the summer and winter Olympics, Vine was a master of his craft.

A safe pair of hands rather than a flashy, attention-seeking performer, Vine nevertheless developed his own distinctive broadcasting style: understated, witty and warm.

There were moments of real toughness too — interviewing McEnroe after he berated an umpire at Wimbledon, Vine demanded to know what right the American had to call anyone an “incompetent fool”.

Vine, who died from a heart attack at the age of 73, excelled as a Jack-of-all-trades presenter. He found time to host Miss World, the Eurovision Song Contest, It’s a Knockout, Superstars and A Question of Sport, which he was proud to have launched in 1970.

But when it came down to sport Vine will be most associated with televised snooker, beginning in 1977 and stretching until the world final of 2000, taking in the 1985 final between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor and attracting 18 million viewers at its peak.

That was an enduring source of pride and “Pay time” as he described the handing of the winner’s cheque became something of a catchphrase, although snooker did also spark his odd entry in Colemanballs such as: “I am speaking from a deserted and virtually empty Crucible Theatre.”

Yet he always believed his most creative moments came while commentating on Ski Sunday, where for 20 years his unique powers of description brought the far-off pistes alive for viewers.

With the demise of Grandstand and the BBC’s modern penchant for recruiting celebrity sports presenters it is unlikely that television will again see presenting stars with such finely-carved journalistic careers as Vine and his rival at the BBC for years, David Coleman.

Vine’s career was etched from days as a cub reporter on the North Devon Journal Herald and sports editor of the Western Morning News in Plymouth. He loved the written word and in latter years bashed away on his computer, writing memoirs and savouring the manner in which phrases could be moved around and improved.

“Can’t do that with a microphone,” he said. “Once it’s said it’s gone. Like steam from a kettle.”

Not quite true. Many would say Vine’s steam had left the warmest of memories.