Shattered cricket commentator Isa Guha mourns ‘beautiful’ man who played a huge role in her life before his tragic death aged just 39
- Former cricket star, now one of the best players behind the microphone
- She was deeply affected by the death of her good friend Jacob Walker
Isa Guha has been left devastated by the death of her long-time friend Jacob Walker, who passed away aged just 39 after having a major impact on her life when her cricket commentary career was in its infancy.
The BBC and Fox Sports star took to Instagram on Tuesday to mourn Walker as a “beautiful soul” after first working with the TV producer/director in 2015.
“People come into your life who can have such a huge impact,” Guha wrote of Walker, who died after a long battle with brain cancer.
‘Jacob was a beautiful soul. I first met him in 2015 – we were working on the Cricket World Cup for ESPN. He was my director and we learned the tricks of the trade together.
‘On air it’s great when you find sync with your director and he was definitely the calm and confident person in my ear at that moment.
“He was a huge player in the creation of the WBBL [Women’s Big Bash League] which it was and worked on cricket and tennis with various broadcasters.
Isa Guha (pictured) has paid an emotional tribute to Australian TV producer/director Jacob Walker following his tragic death from brain cancer
The cricket star turned TV commentator said Walker (pictured) was a ‘beautiful soul’ who had ‘such a huge impact’ on her life
‘Calm and reassuring directors are worth their weight in gold and he was the security I always needed.
“But I also knew the struggle he faced. In 2015 he was diagnosed with brain cancer; he fought so hard and for so long.
‘Calm, beautiful and friendly, that’s how I will remember him.’
Walker reflected on his first meeting with Guha in a post he posted to year.
“A good friend sent me this today as a ‘cheer up’. A flashback to a great @ICC CWC in ’15 for @ESPN,” he wrote.
“It’s an honor to work with Michael Holding, Ian Chappell, @isaguha and @imAgarkar. Not just cricket, but life lessons and perspective.”
Guha replied to that message with, “Miss you Jacob! Stay a strong legend.’
Elsewhere on his An incredible place for four decades.”
He also shared photos and videos of himself with his young son and daughter, along with an update on how his cancer treatment was going in June 2020.
Pictured: A post Walker (back, second from right) made on
Guha’s reply to the post showed the strong bond the couple shared
The Fox Sports and BBC commentator described her friend as ‘calm, beautiful and friendly’
‘Two operations, recent radiotherapy and now the big one: CHEMO. 6-12 months (cycles) ahead with my thoughts on rebuilding back to where I belong. It starts next Friday. Let’s go get it,” he wrote.
In March 2019, he posted a video from his hospital bed after major surgery on his head, telling his followers: ‘Now two days after surgery. I just wanted to reach out to everyone and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your messages, your love, support and prayers.
‘It’s been a bit of a difficult period, this one. “This surgery has caused me a little more trouble than before…I have a little bit of internal bleeding and I’m taking a lot of medication to control it,” he said.
“I’m so grateful when I check social media and every time I turn on my phone I get so many messages of support. I love you all and I can’t wait to get out of here and move on with my life.”
Walker became an ambassador for the Cancer Council after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 28 and underwent a five-hour operation that failed to remove all the cancerous tissue.
He responded to that news by setting a goal of running the New York Marathon just eight months after surgery – and made that dream come true in November 2015.