Tim Gudgin: Former voice of BBC football results dies aged 87

Tim Gudgin, formerly the voice of BBC television's Saturday tea-time football results, has died aged 87.

He had joined Grandstand in 1976, reading out the horse racing and rugby results until 1995, when he became the second person - after Len Martin - to read out the football results.

During his time at the BBC, he also worked for Radio 2 and Radio 4.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: "Tim was a much-loved member of the BBC Sport team for more than three decades and became one of the most familiar voices in the nation every Saturday afternoon. He was always the ultimate professional and will be remembered fondly by all those who worked with him."

Gudgin, known for his distinctive rising and falling intonation, started his broadcasting career while on National Service in Germany in 1949 at the age of 20.

He managed to beat 200 others to secure one of four newsreading jobs in Hamburg, before returning home and joining the BBC.

When he retired, Gudgin said: "It is a triple reason why I am going - age, distance - I am down on the south coast and the team is going to be up in Salford, and my granddaughter's wedding in Australia, which I have to be there for."

Gudgin died peacefully at his home on 8 November, his family said. His funeral will be held at Chichester Crematorium on Monday, 20 November.

Tim Gudgin's career in broadcasting

• 1950: Following a three-year period of National Service, Gudgin joined BFN Radio in Germany as a newsreader and occasional sports reviewer.
• 1952: Moved back to the UK and became studio manager for BBC European Service, also working as newsreader. When his boss moved to network radio, Gudgin joined him on a six-month attachment - and stayed for 10 years.
• 1965-71: Worked as a freelancer presenting shows such as Housewives' Choice, Midday, Out & About, Saturday Night on the Light, Treble Chance, Today, Late Night Extra, Home This Afternoon, Top of the Form, Listen on Saturday, Music Box, Family Favourites, Y.A.T.N.A.M, Friday Night is Music Night, Marching & Waltzing, Night Ride, Melody Hour and Swingalong.
• 1973-76: Worked as a public relations consultant in the Isle of Man.
• 1976: Returned to the UK and sports programme Grandstand, where he read out the horse racing and rugby results in the final score segment of the programme.
• 1995: Following the death of Len Martin, he became only the second person to read out the football results for BBC television on Saturday afternoons.
• 2011: Retired from reading the football results.