Dickie Davies dead at 94: Legendary commentator who covered three Olympic Games and hosted World of Sport passes away
LEGENDARY sports presenter Dickie Davies has died aged 94.
Davies is best known for presenting hit ITV show World of Sport for 17 years until its end in 1985.
Tributes have poured in on social media following the news of his death.
Broadcast icon and fellow ex-World of Sport presenter Jim Rosenthal tweeted on Sunday: “With huge sadness we announce Dickie Davies passed away this morning.
“So proud of his 20 years of World of Sport, three Olympic Games and a brilliant career on the telly.
“He is survived by a loving wife, two adoring sons, four grandkids and two beloved dogs.
“Would appreciate some privacy as we mourn and celebrate his life.
“Dickie was a wonderful friend and colleague….RIP DD.”
Simon Thomas added: “Rest in peace Dickie Davies. Absolute giant of sports broadcasting.”
And SunSport columnist Piers Morgan paid tribute: “RIP Dickie Davies, 94. One of Britain’s all-time great sports presenters.
“Made live TV broadcasting look so easy when anyone who’s tried it knows how difficult it can be.”
Plenty of adoring viewers also sent their best wishes to Davies’ family as they reminisced on his fantastic career and impact.
One said: “Terribly sad news today to hear of Dickie Davies’ passing. Consummate pro who was a massive part of my sporting education.”
Another wrote: “Rest in peace Dickie Davies. One of the very greatest presenters and a Saturday afternoon staple for all sports lovers.”
A third added: “Goodnight and God bless Dickie Davies, a genuine TV hero to millions, RIP Sir.”
Born in Cheshire, Davies did National Service with the RAF then served on board the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth ships as a purser.
His broadcast career started at Southern Television and was urged to go by Dickie Davies rather than his full name Richard Davies by ITV Sport colleague Jimmy Hill.
He joined the iconic World of Sport show in 1965 as Eamonn Andrews’ understudy before taking over full-time in 1968 alongside his boxing, darts and snooker coverage.
Davies covered the 1988 Seuol Olympics with ITV but left the company a year later, joining Eurosport.
He even presented Classic FM sports bulletins from his own home but was forced to step away from the radio channel when he suffered a stroke in 1995.
It took the broadcasting legend a few years to regain his speech fully, eventually returning to front Dickie Davies’ Sporting Heroes in the late 1990s.