ICONIC Sky Sports commentator Bill Arthur has died at the age of 68.
Sky Sports said the former rugby league commentator had passed away following a long battle with prostate cancer.
The statement confirmed he had died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by his loved ones.
Arthur had been diagnosed with the disease in 2011.
The Sky statement said: “Bill was a much-loved and respected member of the Sky Sports family who will be missed terribly by his friends and colleagues.
“Everyone at Sky Sports sends their heartfelt condolences to Bill’s loved-ones and ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
He leaves behind his wife Cherry and children, Simon, Meredith, Kit and Nancy.
Originally coming from Lemington Spa, Arthur began his career in South Yorkshire, where he worked for the Barnsley Star and Sheffield Star newspapers.
He then transitioned into radio, working for Metro Radio and Radio City in Newcastle and Liverpool respectively.
A rugby league superfan, the early 1990s saw him then become a regular pitchside and feature reporter for magazine programme Boots ‘N’ All.
He was a pioneer on coverage for the new summer rugby and Super League, with notable games he covered including the first Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Arthur then moved into commentary in the late 90s before he became the lead commentator of Sky’s Championship coverage between 2007 and 2012.
In April 2019 he replaced Eddie Hemmings as their lead rugby league commentator.
Hemmings said Arthur’s legacy “will live on forever”.
He wrote: “Bill Arthur… what a pro! I first came into contact with Bill when I was at BBC Radio Merseyside in Liverpool. Bill was in the ‘opposition camp’ at Radio City.
“As the game expanded on Sky, Bill’s commentary skills were brought to bear as he called the Academy games with former Wigan and Great Britain captain Phil Clarke, identifying many of the young players who later went on to play in the Super League when it was a founded in 1996.
“This was where Bill’s career blossomed – he was the main commentator for many years of the Catalans Dragons games from the South of France and was a key member of the Sky Sports teams that embarked on Australian tours covering Great Britain Lions and latterly England Internationals. His commentary skills grew as he called League One matches…
“He was the man who described, so gloriously, the drama of St Helens‘ last-minute try that won the Grand Final at Hull in a totally empty stadium against Wigan in the immediate aftermath of the Covid pandemic – a difficult job done brilliantly against the backdrop of empty seats and terraces.
“But perhaps Bill’s greatest battle came when – like me – he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His courage in taking on the disease head on was an inspiration to men like me, who followed him every step of the way.
“He helped me fight the disease, which has now cruelly taken him from us, and I will never forget his support and the sound advice he gave me. Such a brave guy.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
Source: NHS
“Rest in peace Billy-Boy – your legacy will live on forever.”
Managing Director of Sky Sports, Jonathan Licht paid tribute, said he was “truly saddened” by the loss.
He said: “We are truly saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Bill Arthur.
“Bill has been a mainstay of Sky Sports’ rugby league coverage for the last 30 years.
“I want to express my personal gratitude to Bill for his unwavering commitment to Sky, as well as the passion and devotion he brought to our viewers and fans of the sport.
“I know that Bill will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to work with him, and I would like to extend my condolences to Bill’s wife, Cherry, and his family for their loss.”
Former Sky Sports rugby league summariser Mike Stephenson said: “It is a great sadness to learn of the passing away of our dearest friend and colleague Bill Arthur.
“He was a giant in the world of broadcasting at Sky TV and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
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“Bill was an easy-going person who in the many years that I worked with him never lost his temper and had a permanent smile whatever the scenario – which at times was often challenging.
“To say he loved rugby league was an understatement and his ability to bring out the best when interviewing players, coaches and even loyal fans was a pleasure to behold.
“His commentaries behind the microphone were a delight to the ear – accurate and fair, but not afraid to speak the truth.
“He knew how to enjoy life too and I will never forget the many times after the pressure of broadcasting games we would have a drink or two, or maybe three or more, either way, it was always a treat to chat about life, although his taste in music was way above my understanding!
“One day he rang me and told me that the great Martin Offiah had brought out a record and suggested we should write a song too!
“Needless to say I laughed it off but Bill was adamant so we did and played it out live on our midweek show Boots ‘n’ All and many fans wrote in and said it was much better that Martin’s effort!
“Bill will be missed but never forgotten, so rest in Peace my friend, sing out loud in heaven!”
Rugby league commentator Stuart Pyke said Arthur’s “contribution to rugby league is immeasurable”, while reporter Angela Powers thanked Arthur for “being a friend and role model”.
The rugby football league described Arthur as a mainstay of Super League coverage.
Head of Media for Rugby League Commercial, Andy Wilson, saying: “Bill Arthur has been an unsung hero of Sky’s Rugby League coverage since the very start.
“He might not have the recognition factor of Eddie or Stevo – but that’s the way he preferred it – and on behalf of us all in Rugby League administration, as well as my former colleagues in the media, I send deep condolences to all Bill’s Sky Sports colleagues past and present, and to his family and friends.”
Hull FC said they were “devastated” by the news, while St Helens star Alex Walmsley added: “RIP Bill Arthur, was always a pleasure to talk to. One of the finest in our game.”
