Yorkshire cricket legend Dickie Bird on life under lockdown

“It’s not easy. I’d find it impossible not to chat back. It’s just the way I am. So I’m staying put at home. It’s self-isolation for me.”

Dickie Bird - real name Harold - was born in Barnsley in 1933 and played cricket for Yorkshire and Leicestershire before turning his hand to umpiring at the highest level.

He umpired in 66 Test matches plus one-day internationals and World Cup finals and was awarded the OBE.

There is nothing more important than friends and neighbours for the 87-year-old, who is currently in quarantine at home in Barnsley.

He has few hobbies - just cricket and football, both currently paused due to the coronavirus pandemic - so he passes his time keeping fit and spending time in his garden.

“I have wonderful neighbours and lots of friends, so that’s good,” he said. “They leave me food on my doorstep and make sure I’m fine.

“But it’s the mental health that’s most important. I have a routine - 50 minute of exercises on a morning.

“It gets me off to a good start. That’s what elderly folk should do.”

But he is adamant that he will stay positive and advises other people - especially the elderly - to do the same.

“My message is to keep mentally alert,” he says.

“It’s the only way. When I had a stroke a few years back, just after I’d retired, it was tempting to just sit in the chair and watch television, but I made myself get up and do things.

“It’s just the same now. That’s what folks have got to do. Do something. Keep active. I do exercises before I have a shower. It gets me going for the day.

“It’s not easy, by God it’s not easy. But you have to keep doing things and keep positive.”

Dickie, who lives in Staincross, Barnsley, says his life has changed immeasurably since the coronavirus lockdown struck because he can longer pop over to Headingley for lunch.

“I’m not one for staying at home much,” he said. “I like to get out, drive. Watch cricket in the summer and watch football in the winter.

“But I don’t think I’ll see much cricket this year.

“There might be some Twenty20 games later but no-one knows really.

“And I want to see Barnsley Football Club again. They are in trouble at the bottom of the table but they were coming good. I want to see them get out of trouble.

“Cricket in summer and football in winter - that’s my life. I never married because I was married to sport.

“From 16 when I started at Yorkshire until I retired I lived out of a suitcase. That’s no life for a married man.”

He says his niece usually comes to clean for him but she is unable to visit at the moment. “My neighbours are great though,” he said. “They’re wonderful people.

“I can cook a little but it’s not my forte.

“Last time I tried I burned my hands on the oven door. I’m not much of a cook. Neither am I a gardener but I like to spend time outside.

“But I will read The Yorkshire Post, especially if I’m in it.”

Dickie says he has no holidays planned, but was hoping to visit Scarborough for the cricket festival at North Marine Road later this summer.

“I have a hotel booked but I’m not sure the cricket will go ahead. We’ll get through this coronavirus stuff. But it will take time.”