Tributes have been paid to former Piccadilly Radio sports commentator Tom Tyrrell.
Tom was Sports Editor and Manchester United commentator since the start of Piccadilly Radio. He moved across Piccadilly Gardens from BBC Radio Manchester and previously worked for the Oldham Evening Chronicle. Also presented Typically Topical, edited the Piccadilly Radio Soccer Books and Manchester United’s official annuals. After leaving Manchester he worked for Today FM in Dublin.
Friends and former colleagues have remembered him on social media, with Key 103 News Editor John Pickford paying tribute on his Facebook profile.
John Evington, who worked with him at Piccadilly said: “Very fond memories of Tom who, I think I’m right in saying, was the first ever voice on 261 when the IBA test transmissions went to air in 1974. Sad news.”
Former Key 103 presenter and Comedian Justin Moorhouse: “Any Red or indeed Blue from Manchester of a certain age will be sad to hear the passing of Tom Tyrell, you can hear his voice now can’t you?”
The BBC’s Dan Walker: “It was a great pleasure & an education to work alongside Tom Tyrrell at Piccadilly Radio. Very sad to hear he has passed away. Thoughts with his family. He was admired by many.”
Tom Ross from talkSPORT: “So Sad to hear that former Radio Picadilly Sports Editor & voice of Man U Tom Tyrrell has passed away. He helped me a lot in the early days #RIP”
Radio Lancashire’s John Gillmore worked with him in the early days of commercial radio in the North West: “Sad news. He used to pop into Red Rose Radio when the stations joined together.”
Phil Riley tweeted: “So sad. One of the voices I grew up listening to that made commercial radio sound exciting and the place I wanted to work.”
Paul Rowley from the BBC: “Sad news. Tom was on Piccadilly Radio from Day 1 – April 2, 1974. Always cheery with a fund of stories. Ex @BBCMancSports”
Simon Green posted: “Really gutted to hear about the death of Tom Tyrrell. A brilliant broadcaster and THE voice of Manchester United. When I did work ex at Piccadilly in 1991 he couldn’t have been more accommodating, positive and helpful. A sad loss #RIPTomTyrrell.”
So sad to report that Tom Tyrrell has passed away – friend + the voice of Manchester United over three decades at Piccadilly Radio. Top man.
— Stuart Pyke (@stuartpykesport) January 19, 2017
IT'S A GOAL! RIP Tom Tyrrell.
⚽️🎙 pic.twitter.com/houMJBzCXd— Michael Di Paola (@MichaelDiPaola) January 19, 2017
