Tributes poured in today for legendary Scottish rugby union commentator Bill McLaren, who died this morning aged 86.
McLaren, known as the ‘voice of rugby’, retired in 2002 after a radio and television career spanning nearly 50 years in which his distinctive Scottish voice became synonymous with the sport he loved.
He was one of a number of long-serving BBC sport commentators including cricket's John Arlott, horse racing's Peter O'Sullevan, golf's Peter Alliss and tennis's Dan Maskell.
He suffered with ill health in recent years and passed away peacefully at at 10.30am today.
Tributes followed from the worlds of rugby, broadcasting and politics for a man who became the most famous and well respected commentator in the game before retiring in 2002.
Scotland legend Gavin Hastings, who McLaren commentated on before later working alongside, said: “First and foremost, Bill was a very proud and passionate Scot but such was his professionalism that you never really have known that.
Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions player and coach Sir Ian McGeechan said: “You will never know how many people Bill brought to the game by the way he commentated.
“Bill didn’t just have a massive impact because of rugby. It was also because of his knowledge and understanding of people.”
Scottish Rugby were “immensely saddened” at McLaren’s passing, and the flags at Murrayfield were at half-mast today.
Scotland captain Chris Cusiter said: “When I was growing up, he was the voice of rugby. He was the guy you heard and you recognised instantly. He was unparalleled.”
Chris Paterson, Scotland’s most capped player, added: “I grew up listening to him.
“Later on, I had to pinch myself when I played in games that he commentated on.”
McLaren’s first and last commentaries were matches between Scotland and Wales.
BBC Head of TV Sport Philip Bernie said: “His brilliance, dedication and sheer love of his sport made him one of the most recognisable commentators ever; and the sport of rugby in turn both loved and respected him as their television champion, not least for some of the wonderful phrases he could conjure up in the course of a live broadcast.
Sky Sports rugby commentator Miles Harrison, a former colleague of McLaren, said: “Great is an overused word in sport, and by sports commentators — though Bill would never have overused it.
“But it is a word that is very appropriate for him.”
He added: “When I worked with him, I thought, ‘The standard that this man sets, I won’t get anywhere near that — but I’ll have a go’.”
PA