Tributes have poured in for legendary sports commentator John Gwynne following his death aged 77. The Denton broadcaster passed away this morning surrounded by his family - including his son Andrew Gwynne, the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish - after an 18-month battle with cancer. He died peacefully in his sleep, his loved ones said.
Mr Gwynne was famed for his commentary on darts, working on the Sky Sports commentary team as 'the voice of darts' for two decades. In 2014, the former school teacher was inducted into the Professional Darts Corporation Hall of Fame.
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Mr Gwynne also wrote for Darts World magazine and worked with the Darts Regulation Authority, as well as championing the Log-End format of the sport - popular in Manchester - and working as an exhibition MC and referee. He retired in 2013 after covering 20 World Championships and 20 World Matchplays.
He also covered football, cricket and rugby league and was a a regular match reporter on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday. Andrew Gwynne posted a tribute to his father on Facebook following his death this morning.
It said: "John Gwynne RIP. It is with deep sadness that I have to post that my beautiful father passed away this morning at 8.05 am. His 18 month-long battle with cancer is now finally over.
"He died peacefully in his long sleep, and without any pain or suffering, and surrounded by the love of his son and daughter-in-law at our home in St Anne’s Road, Denton. I’d like to thank Tameside Hospital, The Christie, Willow Wood Hospice, the Macmillan Nurses and the Tameside District Nurses for their loving care and support for my dad and our family on this final journey.
"But I also cannot thank Allison ever enough for the way she so beautifully and patiently cared for him at our home for the past two and a bit months. We now ask for your prayers and comfort while we mourn our deep loss."
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said Mr Gwynne was 'hugely passionate' about darts. He said: "John was a respected and popular figure in darts and across sports media and this is a sad time for all who knew him.
"As part of the original Sky Sports commentary team alongside Sid Waddell and Dave Lanning, John's distinctive voice was part of the soundtrack to the PDC's formative years and they formed an iconic trio. John was hugely passionate about the sport of darts and made a great contribution at all levels during his career.
"We send our condolences and sympathies to John's family and friends."
Sports commentator Stuart Pyke also shared a tribute on Twitter. He said: "A terribly sad day with the passing of my friend John Gwynne…. A giant of a man, a giant voice and a huge personality….reunited with Sid Waddell & Dave Lanning - the darting holy trinity …."
The official Lancashire Lightning cricket account tweeted: "We are saddened to learn of the passing of our much loved former Public Address Announcer, John Gwynne, following his battle with cancer. Our thoughts and condolences are with John’s family and friends."
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