‘Voice of football’ James Alexander Gordon retires

File photo of James Alexander Gordon. Picture: Contributed

But now James Alexander Gordon is to bow out from reading the classified results on BBC radio. The 77-year-old recently had surgery to remove his larynx after being diagnosed with cancer and his voice is no longer strong enough to broadcast.

Mr Gordon, who was born in Edinburgh, joined the BBC in 1972 and went on to become one of the most recognisable voices on radio. His distinctive Scottish accent and style attracted an army of followers, including the comedian Eric Morecambe.

Many fans say the Scot’s delivery often made it possible for them to predict the fortune of their team simply from the inflection he used.

Just last year, the radio star, who says he knows little about football other than the results, revealed he had no plans ever to step down from his role. Yesterday, Mr Gordon, who is married with a son and two grandchildren, spoke of his sadness at leaving the job that has been his “life”. He said: “It’s with great sorrow that I now have to give up the most exciting part of my career, the classified football results; they have been my life.

“The most important thing, though, has been making it exciting for the listener. I want to thank my producer of 30 years, Audrey Adams, whose love of sport and determination to get it right has made all the difference.

“How proud I am that I have served the very best of BBC Radio Sport, albeit in a small way with the classifieds.”

Mr Gordon, who contracted polio as a child and had to wear leg supports until his late teens, officially retired from the BBC many years ago, but has continued as a freelance. He joined the BBC as an announcer and newsreader after a career in music publishing. He began reading the football results in 1974.

Mr Gordon worked with the likes of Bert Kaempfert and James Last before auditioning for the BBC when head of presentation Jimmy Kingsbury had wanted to find an announcer with a slight Scottish accent.

The BBC said that although the broadcaster’s surgery was successful, “his voice is now not strong enough to broadcast”.

Richard Burgess, head of BBC Radio Sport, said: “This is desperately sad news and we know our sadness will be shared by many millions of listeners. Saturdays at 5pm will never be the same again without the warm, melodious sound of James’s voice just after the Sports Report theme on BBC Radio 5 Live. A voice which is recognised around the globe through the BBC World Service and a voice which embodies authority, clarity and charm. He is a broadcasting legend.”

Reflecting on his early days, Mr Gordon said: “I was terrified at first, but I put my heart and soul into it.”

Many people have assumed over the years that Mr Gordon delivered a famous fictional result that formed part of a Two Ronnies sketch. The broadcaster denied ever saying the line, but held out the hope that he might yet do so. “Of course, one day I would love to read out on the air Forfar Athletic five, East Fife four – I’d love to do that,” he said.

Mr Gordon believes it was his musical training that led to his distinctive style. “I thought ‘Hmmm, if I get a rhythm to it, it’ll make it easier to read’ and that is how it came about really.”