WORLD SPORT

Gerry Harrison, Legendary ITV Commentator, Dies at 89: Tributes Flood in for ‘Inspirational Figure’

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Tributes have started to pour in for the legendary sports presenter Gerry Harrison, who has passed away at the age of 89.

The late Harrison was well-known for hosting Anglia TV’s ‘Match of the Week’ and graced our screens from the 1970s through to the 1990s.

Man in suit speaking into microphone.

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Former ITV Sport commentator Gerry Harrison has died aged 89
Credit: ITV
Gerry Harrison presenting Match of the Week.

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The late Harrison was a pillar of the broadcaster’s sports coverage and was best known for presenting Anglia TV’s ‘Match of the Week’
Credit: ITV
Photo of Gerry Harrison with sports reporters Stuart Jarrold and Tony Jones.

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Former colleagues Stuart Jarrold and Tony Jones have paid touching tributes to Harrison
Credit: Tony Jones

The ex-journalist frequently presented various sports programs aired on ITV.

Following his departure from ITV, Harrison collaborated with several broadcasters and played a key role in establishing IMG’s coverage of the Premier League.

His passing has resonated throughout the football community, leading to an outpouring of tributes.

Former colleague Stuart Jarrold reflected on Harrison, stating: “He was the voice of East Anglian football for years and a consummate professional.”

“He was a fantastic person to work with and an incredibly decent man.

“He got along with everyone. In nearly a decade of collaboration, I never had a single disagreement with him.

“His meticulous preparation made commentating appear effortless.

“It really isn’t, but he did all his research, and he was genuinely a lovely, lovely person.”

Portrait of Gerry Harrison.

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The late Gerry Harrison was held in extremely high regard by his colleagues
Credit: ITV

Former Sky Sports commentator Ian Darke shared on X: “Very saddened to learn of Gerry Harrison’s passing. A fantastic ITV football commentator and later a colleague on programs like Premier League World.

“Always very friendly and professional. A delight to work with, and a significant loss. Rest in peace, Gerry.”

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Tony Jones, a fellow former ITV News Anglia sports reporter, remembered Harrison fondly: “He was the one who gave me my first job in television back in 1982 with Anglia.

“I don’t think I’m the only one to say he was an inspirational figure. I’ve spoken to numerous producers and directors in the television business who have all expressed how much they learned from him.

“He consistently maintained the highest standards.

“People will remember him fondly in the Anglia region as both a commentator and as a presenter of About Anglia during that time.

He always set the highest possible standards.

Tony Jones on Gerry Harrison

“Moreover, he possessed an exceptional talent for crafting scripts for television.

“If you ever sat down and reviewed one of his scripts, you might wonder, ‘Who on earth could make sense of this?’

“However, the way he wrote to visuals and delivered those scripts set him apart.”

“He was an incredibly influential figure in the television industry.”