Tributes paid to former BBC sports reporter Kevin Gearey after his death at 66 following a long illness
- Kevin Gearey worked at the BBC for 32 years from 1979 before leaving in 2011
- Gearey travelled the world widely and appeared on radio and television bulletins
- He is survived by wife Nicola, and also three children and three grand-children
Tributes are being paid to former BBC sports reporter Kevin Gearey, who has died at the age of 66 after a long illness.
Gearey joined the BBC in March 1979, appearing on both radio and television news bulletins across a range of sports.
He worked for 32 years at the corporation before leaving in 2011.
The former BBC sports reporter Kevin Gearey has died at the age of 66 after a long illness
BBC head of sports journalism Stephen Mawhinney said: ‘For more than three decades, Kevin covered the sporting world for the BBC with great insight and panache.
‘His creativity and unparalleled writing skills made him a unique talent who has never been replaced. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this time.’
BBC director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth added that Gearey was ‘a superb sports writer and reporter, whose witticisms amused and engaged audiences on TV and radio throughout his career.’
Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater described Gearey as ‘a true wordsmith with a wonderful turn of phrase that endeared him to audiences.
‘Kevin was an exceptionally talented reporter and journalist. He’ll be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends.’
His son Paddy, also a BBC Sport journalist, stated: ‘Dad was always proud of working for the BBC and made a great many friends there. He was amazing and we will miss him terribly but we all have so many brilliant memories of him.’
He is survived by wife Nicola, three children and three grandchildren.