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David Vine, 3.1.36 - 11.1.09

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by The Statman (U1650874) 12 January 2009
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Following the sad news earlier in the week of the death of referee John Street, it is sad to hear of the demise of another non-player snooker personality, David Vine, who was born on Street's fourth birthday.

A Devon man, like Street, he rose from the ranks of local journalism to front much television sport, notably as first presenter of A Question of Sport, which he did from its first episode on 5 January 1970 until David Coleman succeeded him in 1978.

He was, in 1969, the first person to present Wimbledon in colour for the BBC, continuing to front the highlights show till 1982; he was the voice of Ski Sunday, commentated on weightlifting (the weightlifting at the 2000 Olympic Games was his television swansong) and even occasionally presented Miss World and the Eurovision Song Contest.

But, despite all that, he will be best known for his work with snooker, coming at a time when the sport was wallowing in the kind of boom that not many sports ever see. He was the face of the Crucible television studio from 1978 – the first year in which the BBC put out daily coverage – until his retirement after the 2000 World Championship, a couple of months before his final engagement at the Sydney games.

The doyen of snooker presenters will be fondly remembered and, as he has been during his eight-year retirement, sadly missed.

Rest in Peace, David Vine. 3 January 1936 — 11 January 2009.

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comment by Jägermeister Jack (U10668474)

posted Jan 13, 2009

BBC sport website editors, this man work for the bbc covering sport for 30 years and you can't find place for him on your main headlines page-disgracefull
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Very true, come on BBC pull your fingers out, this guy was sport for more than one generation and everyone over the age of about 20 would remember him!

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comment by Knowlesy 2009 (U3859922)

posted Jan 13, 2009

"lets hope Hendry can turn those sad feelings around by winning this tournament''

I don't think that eventuality would turn around anyone's sad feelings - except perhaps Hendry's mum's.

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comment by Rabster (U1010144)

posted Jan 13, 2009

RIP David, a sad loss.
Tend to agree with a couple of comments, I don't think the BBC appreciates the genuine professionals who have worked for them over the years. The audience does.

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comment by PaddyGotUp (U13667902)

posted Jan 13, 2009

Good first article and some good posts, on this sad loss, especially from Rabster.

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comment by swamyrahifasb (U10415788)

posted Jan 13, 2009


David Vine I knew you not,
My loss I feel not yours,
You came accross a lovely bloke,
These comments all endorse.

RIP David.

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comment by SafariHunter (U1304425)

posted Jan 14, 2009

David, you will be missed - a great loss to the presenting of the 'smaller' sports esp Snooker.

For the few comments about the BBC - When the news broke on the 11th, the BBC site did have it as a main headline on the day so comments are unjustified.

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comment by My rabbit is giving me evil looks (U7643128)

posted Jan 14, 2009

Condolences to the family of David Vine. Those who survived him will always have the memories of how great a man he truly was. He was a gentleman, and a fantastic personality.

Thank you David for all your of your work.
God bless you.

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comment by HarryPartridge (U13781203)

posted Jan 14, 2009

David Vine wasn't perfect, but he made the present crop of snooker players-turned-commentators sound like rank amateurs (which of course, they are.)

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comment by djjonty (U6816259)

posted Jan 18, 2009

David Vine will always bee the face of snooker, ski sunday, weighlifting, match of the day, a question of sport, miss world, the eurovision song contest and grandstand to me.

Joking a side though he was a true gent and will be sadky missed.

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comment by lcoulthard (U13788811)

posted Jan 18, 2009

i new john and david in the 1990,s god bless both rest in piece sad days for snooker

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