Snooker tributes as ‘Whispering Ted’ dies

Figures from the world of sport and broadcasting paid tribute to the veteran commentator who worked for the BBC for 50 years and became a key figure in the snooker boom years.

Lowe began commentating while seated in the audience and had to keep his voice low in order not to distract players. His distinctive hushed growl earned him the nickname of “Whispering Ted”.

He described many key moments in the sport, including 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, when 18.5 million viewers tuned in to watch.

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.

Lowe’s death coincided with the start of the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, prompting a standing ovation led by some of the best-known figures in the sport.

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

John Virgo, who worked alongside Lowe, paid tribute to the broadcaster and said he would be sadly missed.

“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.”

Lowe uttered as many immortal words as any of his peers.

Some of his most famous lines were perhaps not his proudest moments. “And for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green,” he told one television audience.

Another time, as Fred Davis leaned over the table to strain for a difficult shot, Lowe said: “He is getting on a bit and having trouble getting his leg over.”

Lowe worked for the BBC from 1946, retiring after the World Championship final in 1996.

Lowe’s widow Jean, to whom he had been married for 21 years, 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.”