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Roary The Racing Car

One Poll

2 December 2009

POLE POSITION
Formula One legend Murray Walker was in pole position yesterday (tues) after being voted the Greatest Commentator of all time.
Walker, who has been broadcasting since 1948 and spent much of his career at the BBC,
took the chequered flag with ease in a survey of 8,879 people.
He beat BBC Sports' voice of football John Motson into second place with world tennis ace John McEnroe coming in third.
Famous for his boyish enthusiasm and authoritative voice, Walker began his Formula 1 commentating in the 1970's and continued until his retirement in 2001.
He has stepped out of retirement to provide his excitable commentary to the children's programme, Roary the Racing Car.
Murray said: ''It is a huge honour to be recognised as the World's best commentator, particularly against so many sporting greats!
''I love what I do. I'm a car fanatic and each morning I wake up with a smile on my face, whether I'm commentating on the Formula One or at Silver Hatch racetrack in Roary the Racing Car.''
'Roary', which debuts at 7:30am on 10th December on Five's Milkshake!, also stars Sir Stirling Moss as the narrator, and Peter Kay as Big Chris.
Greg Lynn, Executive Producer on the hit show, said: ''Murray has such a distinctive and recognizable voice and his Murrayisms are classic.
''If his involvement in Roary the Racing Car is anything to go by, I'm not surprised he was voted the World's Best Commentator of all time.
''Murray's performance with Peter Kay in the two new episodes are hilarious. At 86, Murray Walker is still going strong!''
Walker is known for his on-air gaffes - or 'Murrayisms' - such as 'With half the race gone, there's half the race still to go' and 'here comes Damon Hill in the Williams. This car is absolutely unique - except for the one following it, which is identical'.
BBC Sports voice of football John Motson was voted the second best commentator of all time.
Veteran Motson retired from live TV after serving for over 35 years before being labeled as ''past it''.
Motson has covered nine European Championships, nine World Cups and 34 FA Cup finals since he first appeared on Match of the Day in 1971.
The footballing expert, also known as 'Motty', still appears on the programme and Radio Five Live.
World tennis champion John McEnroe, famed for his 'You cannot be serious!' catchphrase, came in third place.
He racking up seven Grand Slam titles, the player finally retired from the professional tour in 1992 and went on to commentate on tennis.
Retired BBC horse racing commentator Peter O'Sullivan took fourth place in the poll.
The 'voice of racing' was the first sports broadcaster to be knighted by the Queen and is also a successful racehorse owner.
Fifth place went to the celebrated Brian Moore who died at the age of 69 in 2001. The football broadcaster is fondly remembered by fans as a fantastic big match commentator.
Commentators Martin Brundle, Sid Waddell, David Coleman, Bill McLaren and Richie Benaud complete the top 10.
TOP 20 GREATEST COMMENTATORS OF ALL TIME
1.    Murray Walker (Formula 1 motor racing)
2.    John Motson (football)
3.    John McEnroe (tennis)
4.    Peter O'Sullivan (horse racing)
5.    Brian Moore (football)
6.    Martin Brundle (Formula 1 motor racing)
7.    Sid Waddell (darts)
8.    David Coleman (football, athletics)
9.    Bill McLaren (rugby)
10.    Richie Benaud (cricket)
11.    Dan Maskell (tennis)
12.    Harry Carpenter (boxing)
13.    Barry Davies (football, tennis)
14.    Peter Alliss (golf)
15.    Stuart Hall (football)
16.    Peter Jones (football, swimming, Olympics)
17.    Eddie Waring (rugby league)
18.    David Vine (snooker)
19.    Geoffrey Boycott (cricket)
20.    Dougie Donnelly (football, snooker, darts, bowls)
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com