One of the most famous TV personalities – and voices – of regional sports has died. And homage to Bob Hall was led by broadcast legends Bob Worman and Gary Newban.
Details of the death of the central presenter are yet to be verified. Extremely private, despite his media career, Bob is believed to have been married twice and had three children. He was in the mid-70s.
He was recruited by Newbon as part of Central’s superb sports team in 1981 after covering the rugby league for Yorkshire and Granada. After falling victim to the 2004 upheaval, Bob returned to freelance reporting and was a regular contributor to the popular Sky Sports Soccer Saturday program hosted by Jeff Stelling.
READ MORE: Death announcements and tribute to the Birmingham Mail – from the week of May 16
Gary Newbon said: “It’s a huge shock, we’re all stunned. As a presenter, Bob was a really solid, confident pair of hands, very professional, a good presenter. He never disappointed you. He was a good cameraman and a good professional. “
Bob Warman described Hall as “one of the best.” He added: “I remember Bob with great love. He really was a very, very good cameraman. He was a great advertiser. It can fill space and time and get you out of any difficult situation. His memory was fantastic.
Bob Hall (LEFT) AND Bob Warman (Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
“He was great. His details, memory and recollection amazed me. He was a wonderful person to have on your side. You can always count on Bob.
In 2015, Bob was listed as a rookie for a daring venture to air in Birmingham, the city’s first television station, Big Center TV, co-owned by former ATV presenter Mike Prince. It stopped airing a year later and reappeared as the Made In Birmingham satellite show.
Bob was also the man in the chair during sold-out Q&A shows with Wolves character Steve Bull. Black Country Radio posted its own tribute on Twitter: “We are sad to hear the news that veteran ITV Central presenter Bob Hall has died. Bob presented our Ask the Leader events for the Dudley City Council before the Covid pandemic and was a brilliant television cameraman and a wonderful man. He will be missing. “
Among the stream of messages on social media, Wbarenno published: Sad news. One of my first memories of football will be Bob Hall, Gary Newban and Jimmy Greaves, host of Central Soccer. Live matches, every Midland First Division team will take part in it before Skye eats everything. RIP Bob Hall. ”
ATVland said: “Sad news has reached us about the death of the fantastic former ITV Central sports reporter Bob Hall. A wonderful man who also took his time for our ATV Today documentary. I will miss you very much. ”
Thomas Newton said: “Sad news if you are of a certain age! Bob Hall, a former sports TV presenter and Gillette Soccer Saturday reporter until this season, has sadly died. Sally Hall wrote: “Such terribly sad news. Rest in peace, legendary Midlands sports presenter Bob Hall. ” Actor and director David Alasey has worked with Bob and posted a touching message on Facebook.
He said: “It is really sad to hear that we have lost another of our dear friends – the excellent cameraman Robert Hall. We first met Bob many years ago while he was presenting dinners at The Premier Lounge in Cannock for Scott Murray. I was immediately impressed by his professionalism and impeccable style. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Of course, his vast broadcasting experience has given him extensive knowledge in so many areas, especially football, as he has spent many years as a sports reporter for ITV and most recently at Sky Sports.
“He would love to tell jokes about his famous friends like Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson. “However, his experience was not limited to sports, as he was a popular host of the classic BBC series Pebble Mill and thus knew many legends from the world of show business.
“In 2008, I promoted my legendary friend Buddy Greco at Star City Casino, Birmingham, and knowing that I had to sell a lot of tickets to work financially, without even asking, Bob arranged for ITV News to cover the story and interview Buddy before the show.” this is class!
Being old school and extremely polite, Bob often used the term “sir” as “how are you, sir?” When, of course, he really had the weight to be called sir! That’s why I say – Thanks for the memories, Bob, I will really miss you, sir! ”
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