One of the most well-known television faces in regional sport has died. And the tributes to Bob Hall have been led by broadcast legends Bob Warman and Gary Newbon.
Details of the central presenter’s death have not yet been verified. An immensely private person despite a career in the media, Bob is understood to have been married twice and had three children. He was in his mid-70s.
He was recruited by Newbon as part of Central’s excellent sports team in 1981 after covering the rugby league for Yorkshire and Granada stations. After falling victim to a 2004 reform, Bob returned to standalone reporting and was a regular contributor to Sky Sports’ popular Saturday Saturday football program, hosted by Jeff Stelling.
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Gary Newbon said: “It’s a big shock, we’re all surprised. As a presenter, Bob was a very solid and confident pair of hands, very professional, a good presenter. He never disappointed you. He was a good operator and a good professional “.
Bob Warman described Hall as “one of the best.” He added: “I remember Bob with great affection. He was really a very, very good announcer. He was a great release. He could fill space and time and get you out of any complicated situation. His memory was fantastic.
Bob Hall (LEFT) and Bob Warman (Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
“He was fantastic. I was amazed at his detail, memory and remembrance. He was a wonderful man to have by your side. You can always trust Bob.”
In 2015, Bob was named among a list of recruits for a daring Birmingham broadcasting company: the city’s first television channel, Big Center TV, co-owned by former ATV presenter Mike Prince. It stopped airing a year later and re-emerged as a “Made In Birmingham” satellite program.
Bob was also the man in the chair during the show of questions and answers exhausted with Wolves hero Steve Bull. On Twitter, Black Country Radio posted its own tribute: “We are saddened to hear that ITV Central veteran presenter Bob Hall has died. Bob presented our” Ask the Leader “events for the Metropolitan Council of Dudley before the Covid pandemic and he was a brilliant announcer and a charming man. He will miss you. “
Amid the avalanche of social media posts, “Wbarenno” posted: Sad news. One of my earliest football memories would be Bob Hall, Gary Newbon and Jimmy Greaves hosting Central Soccer. Live matches, all the Midland teams in the first division would be there before Sky ate everything. RIP Bob Hall. “
“We’ve heard the sad news of the death of ITV Central’s great former sports reporter Bob Hall, a wonderful person who also gave us his time for our documentary on ATV Today. “
Thomas Newton said: “Sad news if you’re a certain age! Former central television sports presenter and, until this season, Gillette Soccer Saturday match reporter Bob Hall has died sadly.” Sally Hall wrote, “Such terribly sad news. Rest in peace, legendary Midlands sports presenter Bob Hall.” Actor and director David Alacey worked with Bob and posted a touching message on Facebook.
He said: “It is sad to know that we have lost another of our dear friends: the great announcer Robert Hall. We first met Bob many years ago while presenting the evenings at Cannock’s Premier Lounge for Scott Murray. I was immediately impressed by his professionalism and impeccable style, he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, and of course his extensive experience in broadcasting gave him extensive knowledge of so many areas, especially football. he had spent many years as a sports reporter at ITV and most recently at Sky Sports.
“He is delighted to tell anecdotes about his famous friends such as Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson.” and knew many legends from the entertainment world.
“In 2008 I promoted my legendary friend Buddy Greco to Star City Casino, Birmingham, and knowing that I needed to sell a few tickets to make it work financially, without even asking for it, Bob arranged for ITV News to cover the story. and interview Buddy before the performance: this is class!
Old-school and highly educated, Bob often used the term “Lord,” as in “How Are You, Lord ?, when, of course, he really had the gravity of being called Lord!” So, bottom line is that I’m really looking forward to it, Bob.
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