Tributes flood for 'Whispering Ted'

Ted Lowe, who became as integral to the snooker boom years as the great players, was remembered as one of sport's finest commentators following his death at the age of 90.

Lowe, born in 1910, worked for the BBC for 50 years and with his distinctive, hushed growl he acquired the nickname 'Whispering Ted'. He began commentating while seated in the audience, and had to keep his voice low so as not to distract the players.

He described many unforgettable moments, including Cliff Thorburn becoming the first man to record a World Championship 147 in 1983, and Dennis Taylor's famous victory over Steve Davis in the 1985 final, when 18.5million tuned in.

He also devised the Pot Black series, which launched in 1969 and played a major part in raising snooker's profile as it gained a large television following.

Taylor said: "He had a lovely, lovely voice. To hear his voice and have him commentating on the 1985 final makes it special."

Lowe's death on the morning of the start of the World Championship final prompted a poignant moment inside the Crucible as the audience assembled for the final. A minute's applause turned into a standing ovation as a row of snooker personalities assembled next to the table.

There stood Davis and Taylor, Ken Doherty, Willie Thorne, John Virgo and John Parrott, all players who have gone on to sit in the commentary box in recent years, along with referees Alan Chamberlain, Eirian Williams and Jan Verhaas, and from the media Clive Everton and Phil Yates, both currently active commentators.

Virgo knew Lowe for many years, and he said: "He set a standard for us all. 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."