BBC legend Clive Everton dies aged 87 as tributes pour in for ‘voice of snooker’

Snooker commentator Clive Everton has died astatine the property of 87.

Everton was described arsenic the ‘voice of the sport’ by the World Snooker Tour pursuing quality of his decease connected Friday.

The governing assemblage said successful a connection connected X: ‘Clive Everton, 1 of snooker’s top ever commentators and dependable of the sport, has died astatine the property of 87.

‘Everton devoted his beingness to snooker and covered the immoderate of the sport’s astir historical moments arsenic a broadcaster and journalist.’

Everton was a erstwhile player, reaching fig 47 successful the world, but was amended known for his lengthy stint successful the BBC commentary box, archetypal starting successful the 1970s.

He started well-known mag Snooker Scene successful 1972 and was awarded an MBE successful 2019.

His decease comes successful the week where, fittingly, players are vying for the Clive Everton Trophy astatine the British Open successful Cheltenham.

Dennis Taylor, who worked successful the commentary container with Everton, called him “a pleasance to enactment with”.

The 75-year-old posted connected X: ‘So bittersweet to perceive of the passing of Clive Everton. A fantastic commentator and was a pleasance to enactment with for galore years. Condolences to each his family. RIP’.

Current subordinate Neil Robertson, different erstwhile satellite champion, added: ‘So sad. A dependable I had heard galore times from erstwhile I utilized to get video tapes of snooker sent to Australia arsenic a kid.

‘Meeting and person him commentate connected my archetypal televised matches meant truthful much. It made maine consciousness portion of the snooker family.

“Clive I’m definite was an inspiration to galore of the large commentators we person contiguous and warmed the hearts of millions watching astatine home. RIP.’

More to follow…