BBC and ITV’s Iconic Sports Commentator Retires Following a Glittering 48-Year Career – With Sporting Icons and Supporters Across Generations Paying Tribute to His Remarkable Achievements

ICONIC broadcaster Steve Ryder is hanging up his mic after 48 years.

The 75-year-old worked at both ITV and the BBC during his nearly five-decade career.

 

Steve Ryder, ITV Sport presenter, speaking into a microphone.

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Steve Ryder is signing off for the final time after 48 years in broadcastingCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Steve Ryder, ITV Formula One commentator, holding a microphone.

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The former BBC presenter has been the face of motorsport on ITV since 2005Credit: Getty

Michael Owen with BBC Sport presenters receiving the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

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Ryder (right) was a former presenter on the BBC’s Sports Personality of the YearCredit: PA:Press Association
Ryder signed off for the final time on Sunday at the British Touring Car Championship from Oulton Park.

He bid farewell to broadcasting after the race weekend, which was shown live on ITV4.

A host of drivers from the past and present recorded messages for Ryder.

The two-minute montage featured a host of famous names from the world of F1.

Lando Norris, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Jenson Button and David Coulthard all contributed to the emotional goodbye.

Ryder is best known for hosting the BBC sports show Grandstand.

He also fronted coverage of rugby, golf, motorsports and rowing for the Beeb, as well as Sports Personality of the Year.

Ryder left the BBC in 2005 to join ITV, where he has since taken charge of their F1 coverage and World Cup broadcasts.

Speaking about his decision to retire, he told The Mail: “The biggest emotion as you get into the last two minutes of something like that is, ‘For God’s sake, don’t c**k it up!’

“Because you’d be thinking about that for the next 20 years.

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“I’ve probably outstayed my welcome. I’ve been hugely lucky with the places that the career has taken me.

“But it’s close to 50 years now, so the cracks are showing.”

Ryder was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2023.

He underwent emergency surgery, which successfully prevented the tumour from spreading.

He told BBC Breakfast: “They took one look and said, ‘We’re going to operate in two weeks’.

“No messing around. We did Brands Hatch for ITV on the Sunday and I had the operation on the Thursday.

“So it slotted into the schedule quite nicely!”