Sam Matterface publicizes dying of pop on air in ‘sudden and stunning circumstances’
ITV football commentator Sam Matterface made a heartbreaking announcement on talkSPORT on Monday morning, as he confirmed his father had died in sudden circumstances
Matterface made the heartbreaking announcement on Monday(Image: talkSPORT)
ITV football commentator Sam Matterface has revealed the death of his father in “sudden and rather shocking circumstances.” He shared the devastating news while broadcasting live on talkSPORT.
The 47-year-old, who became ITV’s primary football and England commentator after taking over from Clive Tyldsley in 2020, made the heartbreaking revelation at the beginning of his programme with talkSPORT colleague Alex Crook on Monday. Speaking to listeners, Matterface disclosed that his father had passed away on Friday night and he had chosen to present his show despite being “not in a particularly good place”.
Nevertheless, he explained that his father “would have done the same” as he delivered an emotional tribute to him at the opening of the programme, reports Wales Online.
“I’m going to be honest and open with you right off the bat, I’m not in a particularly good place this morning and I’m going to share with you why,” said Matterface.
“It’s been a particularly tough weekend for me and my family because we lost my father on Friday night in sudden and rather shocking circumstances. So you’re going to have to bear with me a little today and indulge me a little for a minute.”
“Little Pete – as Alan Brazil affectionately nicknamed him on the Breakfast Show – loved Alan, loved talkSPORT and loved radio,” he continued.
“I’m sure people will be asking why I came into work today and you might be wondering too.
“But the truth is, one he would have done the same and the other reason is that it is important. I’m sure many of you have been in situations like this too and when you’re working and when you’re driving , you’re sometimes happy, sometimes grieving, sometimes lost.
“I find, and I’m sure you do too, that radio is a constant companion,” Matterface added.
“He introduced me to radio, my dad, and as a painter and decorator it went with him everywhere that he went.
“He loved the fact I was on talkSPORT, his favourite radio station. Radio was his friend, I hope it’s your friend. And it’s thanks to him that it has always been my friend.
“And I hope today that it is my brother’s friend, my sister’s friend and his wife’s friends too. Because it’s important.”
Alongside his role with ITV, Matterface has served as a commentator and presenter on talkSPORT for more than 15 years, after being recruited from Sky Sports in 2010.
Prior to that, he worked at BBC Radio Kent, Capital Gold Sport and Portsmouth station 107.4 The Quay, where he also hosted the breakfast programme.
The seasoned broadcaster – who was formerly wed to fellow sports presenter Natalie Sawyer – also spent seven years as a commentator on ITV’s Dancing on Ice before departing the programme in 2024.
