talkSPORT commentator Russell Hargreaves dies aged 45

Tributes have flooded in for beloved talkSPORT commentator Russell Hargreaves, who has died on the age of 45. 

The radio station introduced his passing this afternoon in a heartfelt message on social media by which they expressed their devastation on the lack of a ‘a lot cherished pal and colleague.’

Hargreaves lately needed to step again from work by sickness. The final photograph posted on his Twitter account got here through the New Zealand v South Africa rugby worldwide at Twickenham in late August.

‘We’re deeply saddened to inform you that Russell Hargreaves has handed away.’ The assertion on X, previously Twitter, learn. ‘Russ was a gifted commentator, information reader and reporter for our community. But he was far more than that. A a lot cherished pal and colleague to so many. We’re devastated by his passing. RIP, Russ.’

Hargreaves was a talkSPORT commentator for greater than 10 years, overlaying golf, soccer and his ardour rugby. He leaves behind his spouse Rachel and three kids.

talkSPORT commentator Russell Hargreaves has died on the age of 45

Last photograph: Hargreaves commentated on New Zealand’s conflict in opposition to South Africa Twickenham in late August

Hargreaves spent over a decade at talkSPORT overlaying a spread of sports activities together with his rugby

Many of Hargreaves’s talkSPORT colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to the father-of-three

The Rugby Union Writers’ Club had been fast to pay tribute to Hargreaves, saying that his ‘heat and positivity’ can be sorely missed. 

‘We are desperately saddened on the lack of our a lot cherished colleague Russell Hargreaves.’ Their message learn. ‘Russ was a beautiful radio journalist recognized throughout many sports activities, particularly rugby union. His heat and positivity can be so sorely missed. We ship like to Rachel, his household and pals.’

Several of Hargreaves’s friends paid their respects following the information of his dying. Among them was Adrian Clarke, who hailed his kindness and enthusiasm. 

‘Russ Hargreaves, we’ll all miss you a lot.’ The former Arsenal midfielder and commentator wrote on X. ‘It was a privilege to work with you so usually for Talksport & Arsenal Always enjoyable, cheery, form, enthusiastic & simple to speak to, you had been a beautiful man & completely very good at your job. Can’t consider you’ve got gone. Rest simple, pal.’

An in depth pal with whom Hargreaves travelled to World Cups, British Lions excursions and England video games, talkSPORT’s rugby reporter Andrew McKenna delivered an emotional tribute to his pal. 

‘Russ is a person who I’m honoured to have referred to as a colleague and a pal. The six weeks collectively in New Zealand had been nice enjoyable, however very exhausting work. Every three days or so, you’re packing up and transferring on, often within the early morning so we may broadcast within the night into the Breakfast exhibits again dwelling from the brand new location, he stated.

Hargreaves alongside former rugby participant and talkSPORT co-commentator Tom May in Nantes for France’s conflict with Fiji within the Summer Nations Series in August

Tributes from Hargreaves’s pals in addition to present and former colleagues attest to his expertise and heat character

‘We did a present every single day, in some odd locations, and at very odd hours, however I don’t keep in mind ever listening to him grumble or complain about being drained (I do know I did!). He bought the tough finish of the stick too – as our pitchside reporter he was stationed behind the posts.

‘If you’ve seen the footage of the second Test in Wellington, you’ll understand it was performed in a digital monsoon, however Russ was nonetheless on the market. In reality, I don’t know why, it was so moist his package had truly stopped working! He may have come again to the commentary field, however he didn’t – he had a job to do and he did it. That was his means, and I revered him a lot for it.

‘My abiding reminiscence of him, although, can be of a person expert in so many alternative areas of broadcasting, in a position to swap effortlessly, and ship in all of them equally nicely. With the best way the trade is altering, we could not see his like once more.’

ITV’s England commentator and talkSPORT colleague Sam Matterface thanked McKenna for his message which he stated had ‘purchased greater than only a tear to the attention’.