Farewell to BBC snooker legend, Whispering Ted

A longtime resident of Little Common, the 90-year-old passed away on Sunday and the announcement was made during the final of the Snooker World Championship in Sheffield.

Ted became famous for his hushed delivery and he was the BBC lead snooker commentator on many occasions before retiring in 1996, having been awarded his MBE the year before.

He was also a household name through the popular TV showPot Black, but perhaps the most celebrated contribution of all was his commentary for the 1985 Black Ball final, when Dennis Taylor beat Steve Davis.

Fellow commentator and former player John Virgo said: “He set a standard for us all. He was wonderful, he had an impish sense of humour, and while cricket had its John Arlott and Wimbledon had its Dan Maskell, we had Ted Lowe. He was one of the BBC greats. It’s a sad day for snooker and he’ll be sadly missed.”

His wife Jean, who still lives in Riders Bolt, said in a statement: “His health had been deteriorating for the last 10 weeks. He went into a hospice a week ago and I never left his side. But I could see he was slowly going. He still loved snooker and was watching it on TV.”

Apart from Jean, he leaves behind daughter Margaret and son Michael, and grand-daughter Lisa Hale.

A friend who lives locally, and asked not to be named, described Ted as “an absolutely charming gent” who was “so easy to get on with”.

He said: “In all the years I knew him I never saw him without his shirt and tie. In fact I rarely saw him without his jacket. He was a gent, a proper gent of the old school, absolutely charming to everyone he met.

“He really was a nice guy.”

Ted lived in Maple Walk before moving to Riders Bolt around 1999, and was a familiar face locally where he attended events and gave talks.

He could have lived anywhere, having originated from Berkshire, but chose to spend his retirement years in Bexhill.

He gave up travelling up to London when he last attended the BBC Sports Personality of the Year a few years ago and found it hardgoing.

His friend added: “He had a fantastic sense of humour. Funnily enough for a television commentator, he didn’t like TV very much and preferred listening to music.

“He was a very good companion - an excellent man to spend time with.”

Bexhill taxi driver Dave Dickens-Smith remembered Ted as “an extreme gentleman - the best you could find.”

He once took him to Sky studios in Hounslow for a programme about commentators, when Ted was interviewed by Steve Davis, and recalls “a thoroughly enjoyable day”.

Dave said: “I do feel sorry at his loss. I was proud to know him.”