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Beloved football commentator Clive Tyldesley has opened up on the heart-breaking circumstances of coming to terms with his mother passing away while he was working for ITV during the first week of Euro 2024.
The 69-year-old completed his last tournament for the broadcaster in Germany after it was decided he wouldn’t have his stay at the organisation extended.
His last appearance was the last-16 Euro 2024 tie between host nation Germany and Denmark in Dortmund and he has since returned home to England.
Fans were furious at ITV’s decision to axe Tyldesley and the legendary broadcaster has now revealed how he battled tragic personal circumstances while working at the European Championship.
Tyldesley is widely-regarded as one of Britain’s greatest-ever commentators and displayed great professionalism when dealing with the loss of his mum as he outlined how he flew home before jetting back to Germany in an interview with The Telegraph.
Iconic commentator Clive Tyldesley has revealed his mother died while he was working at Euro 2024
Tyldesley completed his final game at the tournament after being axed by ITV after nearly 30 years at the company
Outlining his grief in dealing not only with losing his position at ITV but also the death of a parent, Tyldesley courageously explained: ‘I actually lost my mum the first week of the tournament. I had to fly back for a couple of days and look after that, then come back.
‘Whilst there is a kind of delayed sense of shock at the passing of a parent, she passed peacefully and probably very much at a time of her calling in many respects.
‘It’s been a reflective time one way or another, personally and – professionally. Because 28 years is a long time with one company.’
The legendary commentator spent nearly three decades at ITV and was renowned for his intense preparation and style while covering multiple matches in the Champions League, FA Cup and major international tournaments.
His abrupt exit came after previously standing down as ITV’s lead England commentator three years ago in favour of Sam Matterface.
The legendary commentator spent nearly three decades at ITV and was renowned for his intense preparation and style
Tyldesley’s final match for ITV saw him cover Germany’s last-16 victory over Denmark
He previously revealed to Mail Sport that he ‘doesn’t know why’ he has been asked to step down and has no plans of retiring from football just yet.
ITV sought to pay tribute to Tyldesley’s stunning commentary career at the organisation during his final match at Euro 2024, but the broadcaster has now admitted he wasn’t interested in any such farewell act.
‘I didn’t think it was necessary because I wasn’t retiring. I was being moved aside and sent home. It wasn’t my decision, it was theirs.
‘It’s a pretty veiled compliment when somebody puts a show-reel together and then says, “Thank you very much, indeed. We’re keeping the other three commentators but you’re going home”, and had said that six weeks earlier.’
