‘Giant of broadcasting’: Tour de France caller Paul Sherwen dies aged 62
Iconic cycling commentator Paul Sherwen has died aged 62 at his home in Uganda.
Key points:
- Paul Sherwen died at his home in Uganda, where he had lived since he was seven
- Sherwen was the voice of the Tour de France for millions of viewers on SBS and NBC alongside Phil Liggett
- Sherwen rode in seven Tours de France as a domestique
Sherwen commentated on the Tour de France for more than 30 years alongside longtime colleague Phil Liggett, bringing the race into the living rooms of millions of Australians every winter on SBS.
SBS released a short statement on their website, thanking Sherwen for his contribution to cycling.
"[Paul Sherwen] and Phil Liggett brought the Tour de France alive for us and into our loungerooms late at night, every July. The dynamic duo taught us about the beauty of cycling and we are grateful," SBS wrote.
"How could we have fallen in love with this sport without their passion and their ability to set up the drama?"
"We are too gutted for words right now as we've lost one of our SBS family members."
External Link: Paul Sherwen on how he met Phil Liggett
Prior to becoming a broadcaster, Sherwen rode as a professional in the late 70s and early 80s, riding in the Tour de France seven times and winning the British national championship twice in 1986 and 1987.
Sherwen was also involved in setting up a cycling charity, Paul's Peloton, to help send bicycles to Uganda, where he lived since he was seven.
NBC, for whom Sherwen covered five Olympic Games, also paid credit to his career.
"We are saddened to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Paul Sherwen, who passed away this morning at his home in Uganda," the statement read.
"Paul was synonymous with the Tour de France in the US and will be greatly missed by his legions of fans and the NBC Sports family, which was honoured to be part of Paul's 40th Tour last July.
"Our thoughts are with Paul's wife Katherine, their children, and all of those in the cycling community who became Paul Sherwen fans over his many years calling the sport he loved."
External Link: Paul Sherwen on the bike
The rest of the cycling world was quick to pay credit to Sherwen's career.
External Link: Michael Tomalaris tweet:Shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Paul Sherwen. A former pro-cyclist who became a familiar voice for SBS audiences as a member of his partnership in commentary with Phil Liggett. External Link: Lance Armstrong tweet: Completely shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Sherwens passing. Met Paul in 1992 when he worked as our press officer for Team Motorola. External Link: Robbie McEwen tweet: Im deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Sherwen. An absolute gentleman – I knew him for over 20 years & listened to him & Phil for almost 30. External Link: VeloUK tweet: former professional cyclist and commentator Paul Sherwen … cannot believe my eyes that he has left this world. A British legend of the sport for so many decades External Link: Stuart Randall tweet: Stunned to hear the news about Paul Sherwen. A giant of broadcasting, hilariously funny and a fantastic guy who it was a pleasure to spend every 3 weeks in July with. External Link: TeamDiData: Wed like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Paul Sherwen.
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