Former World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies dies at the age of 94
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Former World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies has died at the age of 94 as tributes to the legendary broadcaster pour in on social media after his former colleague Jim Rosenthal confirmed his passing.
- Davies was best known for his 17-year stint as a presenter on the hit ITV sports show.
- He also covered the 1988 Seoul Olympics with ITV before moving to Eurosport.
- The streaming icon then hosted his show Sporting Heroes from Dickie Davies.
Legendary World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies has passed away at the age of 94, his former colleague Jim Rosenthal has confirmed.
Davies was best known for his time hosting the hit ITV sports show for 17 years until it came to an end in 1985.
As well as covering boxing, darts and snooker, the broadcast icon also covered the 1988 Seoul Olympics with ITV before leaving to join Eurosport.
After suffering a stroke in 1995, Davies recovered and went on to lead his own show, Dickie Davies’ Sporting Heroes.
Former World of Sport presenter Rosenthal shared the sad news of Davies’ passing on Twitter, writing on Sunday evening: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Dickie Davies passed away this morning.” Very proud of his 20 years in World of Sport, 3 Olympic Games and a brilliant career on TV. He is survived by a loving wife, two adoring children, four grandchildren and two beloved dogs.’
Legendary World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies has passed away at the age of 94
Tributes have flooded Davies on social media, with several fans paying their respects after hearing the news.
One wrote: ‘Rest in peace Dickie Davies. One of the best presenters and a Saturday afternoon staple for all sports lovers.
Another said: ‘RIP Dickie Davies…another voice and face from my childhood sadly gone.’
A third posted: ‘So sad to hear that Dickie Davies has died. He definitely was a consummate professional. Another part of our childhood watching sports has passed. An imperturbable speaker. May he rest in peace.’
While a fourth said: ‘Dickie Davies was basically my Saturday afternoon vision for years as a kid, World of Sport was brilliant. Be calm’.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan also paid tribute to Davies, writing: ‘RIP Dickie Davies, 94. One of Britain’s greatest sports presenters of all time. He made streaming live TV look so easy when anyone who has tried it knows how hard it can be.
Sports presenter Simon Thomas tweeted: ‘Rest in peace Dickie Davies. Absolute giant of sports broadcasting.
Football commentator Nigel Adderley said: ‘Dickie Davies was a real great. Doing that show so well for so long showed how good it was.’
Davies, who was born in Cheshire, completed National Service with the RAF before serving aboard the ships RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth as a purser.
After beginning his television career with Southern Television, he was urged by his ITV colleague Jimmy Hill to go by the name Dickie Davies instead of the full name Richard Davies.
As well as working for ITV and Eurosport, Davies also produced Classic FC sports bulletins from his own home before leaving the radio station after suffering a stroke in 1995.