England commentator Sam Matterface announced the heartbreaking news that his father died during an emotional monologue while presenting live on talkSPORT.
Matterface was hosting a morning show with journalist Alex Crook when he started opening up on the difficult nature of his Easter weekend.
The 47-year-old, who has been talkSPORT’s lead commentator for 15 years, revealed that his father passed away on Good Friday in ‘sudden and rather shocking circumstances’.
In a two-minute address to listeners across the country, Matterface told of how his father loved radio and introduced him to it, which is why he was hosting a show just four days after his passing.
On being back in work so soon, he said that his father ‘would’ve done the same’, in a touching tribute.
Matterface said live on talkSPORT: ‘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.
talkSport commentator opened up on the death of his father while hosting a show on Monday
‘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 bare with me a little today and indulge me a little me for a minute.’
Matterface’s father was always fond of the radio, and it inspired him to become the broadcaster that he is today.
‘Little Pete – as Alan Brazil affectionately nicknamed him on the Breakfast Show – loved Alan, loved talkSPORT and loved radio. 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. 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.’
