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Worlds of sport and broadcasting pay tribute to 'wonderful broadcaster' following death of Folkestone-born BBC and ITV commentator Gerald Sinstadt

15:30, 16 November 2021

updated: 15:37, 16 November 2021

An outpouring of tributes from the worlds of football and broadcasting have followed the death of renowned sports commentator Gerald Sinstadt.

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was among many who expressed their sadness after the news of the Folkestone-born journalist's death on November 10.

Gerald Sinstadt during the World Cup in 1970. Picture: ITV
Gerald Sinstadt during the World Cup in 1970. Picture: ITV

The former England striker tweeted: "Saddened to hear that Gerald Sinstadt has left us. A wonderful broadcaster and brilliant wordsmith with such a distinctive voice."

A familiar voice on both BBC and ITV coverage during an illustrious career, the 91-year-old grew up in Folkestone and was a pupil at the town's Harvey Grammar School.

During the Second World War he was evacuated, along with the entire school, to Merthyr Tydfil and tragically both his parents were killed during an air raid while he was in the relative safety of South Wales.

His career behind the microphone began in 1949 with the British Forces Broadcasting Service, before getting his break with BBC radio.

In the decades that followed he covered four World Cups for ITV and later worked on Olympic Games for the BBC, as well as being a regular on Football Focus, Match of the Day and Final Score.

Sinstadt was a pupil at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Sinstadt was a pupil at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Harvey headteacher Scott Norman said: "We were very sad to hear the news that Gerald Sinstadt, one of our most successful Old Boys, had passed away.

"Gerald was a great supporter of the school and very kindly sponsored one of our annual prizes, named in his honour.

"He also opened our original sports hall back in the 1990s, reflecting of course his love and knowledge of sport that viewers and listeners benefited from throughout his illustrious career.

"Our thoughts are very much with his family at such a sad time."

In later life Mr Sinstadt, an opera lover away from the sporting arena, retired to North Staffordshire with his wife Margaret and continued to write a regular column for the Stoke Sentinel newspaper.

Commentator Gerald Sinstadt at Ipswich Town v Coventry City for Match of the Week. Picture: ITV
Commentator Gerald Sinstadt at Ipswich Town v Coventry City for Match of the Week. Picture: ITV

ITV Football tweeted: "At ITV Sport, we are deeply saddened at the passing of Gerald Sinstadt, who was a brilliant broadcaster as well as an influential and supportive figure for young people entering into broadcasting."

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