Tony Green
| Tony Green | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Anthony Julian Green 27 November 1939 Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Sports commentator, television presenter |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Known for | Darts commentary |
Anthony Julian "Tony" Green (born 27 November 1939 in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire) is an English sports commentator and television presenter.
Darts career
A former player, who played county darts for Lancashire, he is the BBC's lead commentator for the annual World Professional Darts Championship staged at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey. In his capacity as a British Darts Organisation (BDO) official, he was a protagonist in the dispute which resulted in the formation of the rival governing body, the Professional Darts Corporation. He is also a former chair of the International Darts Players' Association (IDPA), the 'players' union' for those who remained with the BDO.
Broadcasting career
Green and Geordie entertainer, Sid Waddell, were the darts commentators on the BBC from 1978 to 1994.[1] Waddell left the BBC in 1994, but Green has remained ever since.
Green was best known as the announcer and co-host of the popular television darts quiz Bullseye, produced by Central for ITV, and returned in the new version of the show which aired from April 2006, produced by Granada Productions for Challenge. He also reprised his role of 'scorer' on a special edition of Bullseye which aired as part of the Gameshow Marathon series and was broadcast on ITV on 19 May 2007.
On 18 May and 19 May 2007, Green co-hosted Challenge TV's coverage of the inaugural PDC US Open tournament.
Green also appeared on Channel 4's Meet Ricky Gervais, which ran for one series in 2000.
In 2015 Green was Narrator and Commentator for the BBC's Let's Play Darts for Comic Relief.[2]
On 20th September 2015, he was the continuity announcer on Challenge.
Illness
In December 2010, it was announced on the BDO website that Green had been diagnosed with cancer of the tongue and as a result would not be commentating on the forthcoming 2011 Lakeside World Darts Championship. Green had previously commentated on the World Professional Darts Championship every year since its inception in 1978. Green was replaced by Vassos Alexander.[3]
Green returned to commentary at the 2011 Winmau World Masters, and was back at Lakeside the following year alongside Alexander and David Croft, and continues to commentate regularly although he is no longer lead commentator having relieved this duty to Alexander who shares the role with Jim Proudfoot and John Rawling.
References
- ↑ Waddell, Sid. Bellies and Bullseyes: The Outrageous True Story of Darts. Ebury Press. ISBN 0-09-191755-7.
- ↑ http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/lets_play_darts_comic_relief/details/
- ↑ Tony Green tongue cancer https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/168566/Illness-forces-Tony-Green-to-rest