Ted Lowe, the BBC snooker commentator who charmed and educated generations of television viewers, has died. He was 90.
The Press Association reports that his widow Jean said: "He had been poorly for the last 10 weeks and had been in a hospice for the last week.
"For two days I never left his side, but I could see he was slowly going. He still loved snooker and was watching it on TV this week."
Lowe's death coincided with the start of the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible in Sheffield today.
A minute's applause became a standing ovation as players joined the audience in paying tribute to his life and work.
Lowe, who worked for the BBC for 50 years, was nicknamed 'Whispering Ted'.
In his early days as a commentator he had to sit in the audience during matches and spoke very quietly so as not to distract the players.
Among the many key snooker moments that Lowe made more special for viewers were Cliff Thorburn becoming the first man to record a World Championship 147 in 1983 and Dennis Taylor's victory over Steve Davis in the 1985 final.
Paying tribute, Taylor said: "He had a lovely, lovely voice. To hear his voice and have him commentating on the 1985 final makes it special."
Player and commentator John Virgo, who worked alongside Lowe, said: "I commentated with him and he was wonderful. He had an impish sense of humour and while cricket had its John Arlott, Wimbledon had its Dan Maskell, we had Ted Lowe. He was one of the BBC greats.
"Those hushed tones, 'Whispering Ted', it's a sad day for snooker.
"He'll be sadly missed."
