ITV football commentator Sam Matterface has announced the death of his father in 'sudden and rather shocking circumstances', delivering the tragic news live on air during his talkSPORT show on Monday.
The 47-year-old, who has been ITV's lead football and England commentator since replacing Clive Tyldsley in 2020, told listeners at the start of his programme alongside co-host Alex Crook that his father had died on Friday night. He admitted he was 'not in a particularly good place' but decided to come to work because his father 'would have done the same'.
In a lengthy tribute, Matterface recalled how his father, affectionately known as 'Little Pete' by talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil, loved the radio station and introduced him to radio. 'He introduced me to radio, my dad, and as a painter and decorator it went with him everywhere that he went,' Matterface said.
Matterface has worked as a commentator and presenter on talkSPORT for over 15 years, having been hired from Sky Sports in 2010. He previously worked at BBC Radio Kent, Capital Gold Sport, and Portsmouth station 107.4 The Quay.
The broadcaster, who was previously married to fellow sports presenter Natalie Sawyer, also spent seven years as a commentator on ITV's Dancing on Ice before leaving the show in 2024.
