Tony Green
{{Short description|English sports commentator (1939–2024)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tony Green
| image = Tony Green at the1985 Winmau World Masters Quarterfinal (cropped-J1).jpg
| image_size = 150
| caption = Tony Green at the 1985 Winmau World Masters Quarterfinal
| birth_name = Anthony John Green
| birth_date = {{birth date|1939|01|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|03|04|1939|01|29|df=y}}
| death_place = Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England
| known_for = Darts commentary and Bullseye
| occupation = Sports commentator, television presenter
| years_active = 1978–2022
}}
Anthony John Green (29 January 1939 – 4 March 2024) was an English sports commentator and television presenter, best known as the scorer and later co-host of the British TV show Bullseye, from 1982 to 1995 and again in 2006 & 2007.
Green was also the commentator for the annual BDO World Darts Championships from 1978 to 2016.
Broadcasting career
Green (alongside) Sid Waddell, were the darts commentators on the BBC from 1978 to 1994.{{cite book|title=Bellies and Bullseyes: The Outrageous True Story of Darts | first = Sid| last = Waddell | year = 2007| isbn = 978-0-09-191755-5 |publisher=Ebury Press }} Waddell left the BBC in 1994, whilst Green remained until the 2016 BDO World Darts Championships, (this being Green's final appearance ), and the last one televised by the BBC.{{cite web |url= https://dartsnews.com/bdo/forgotten-darters-tony-green-iconic-darts-commentator-who-called-the-first-world-championship-nine-darter |title= Forgotten Darters: Tony Green: Iconic darts commentator who called the first World Championship nine-darter |work= dartsnews.com |date= 16 August 2023}} In 1990, Green was commentating during the first ever nine-dart finish at the BDO World Darts Championship. In the second round, Paul Lim netted £52,000 by hitting 180 twice, finishing with treble 20, treble 19, then double 12, to the delight of Green, commentating for the BBC.
In 2000, he appeared as himself in all six episodes on the talk show Meet Ricky Gervais broadcast on Channel 4. Green was well known as the announcer and co-host, alongside Jim Bowen, of the popular television darts quiz Bullseye, produced by Central for ITV from 1982 to 1995. In 2006, a reprised version of the show was aired, which was produced by Granada Productions for Challenge, and hosted by comedian Dave Spikey.{{cite web | url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/731760.dave-spikey-keeps-his-eye-on-the-bullseye/ | title=Dave Spikey keeps his eye on the Bullseye | date=13 April 2006 |accessdate=6 March 2024}}
Green reprised his role of 'scorer' on a special edition of Bullseye, which aired as part of the Gameshow Marathon series and was broadcast on ITV on 19 May 2007. On 18 and 19 May 2007, Green co-hosted Challenge TV's coverage of the inaugural PDC US Open tournament.{{cite web|title=Challenge TV To Screen PDC US Open|url=http://www.planetdarts.tv/page/WorldSeriesDartsDetail/0%2C%2C10180~1022853%2C00.html|work=Planet Darts|access-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230045002/http://www.planetdarts.tv/page/WorldSeriesDartsDetail/0,,10180~1022853,00.html|archive-date=30 December 2007|url-status=dead}}
In 2015, Green was narrator and commentator for the BBC's Let's Play Darts for Comic Relief.{{cite web| url = http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/lets_play_darts_comic_relief/details/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095417/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/lets_play_darts_comic_relief/details/| archive-date = 2 April 2015| title = Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief – Production Details & Cast and Crew – British Comedy Guide| website = British Comedy Guide|accessdate=6 March 2015}}
Illness and death
In 2010, Green took a career break while being successfully treated for tongue cancer.{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Tom |title=Bullseye star Tony Green dies aged 85 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/tony-green-dead-bullseye-b2506810.html |website=independent.co.uk |date=4 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024}}
After developing Alzheimer's disease, Green died on 4 March 2024, at the age of 85.{{cite web |title=Tony Green, voice of BBC darts and scorer on Bullseye known for his triumphant '180!' – obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/03/05/tony-green-bbc-darts-commentator-bullseye-quiz-itv/ |website=telegraph.co.uk |date=5 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024 }} His last ever commentary came in the 2022 Darts World Seniors Masters quarter-finals, where Phil Taylor beat Les Wallace.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Kb108Z0ksbQ | title=This 144 from Phil Taylor at the Seniors last year was just 👌 #shorts | website=YouTube }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=0338382|name=Tony Green}}
- {{discogs artist|Tony Green (26)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Green, Tony}}
Category:People from Kingston upon Hull
Category:English sports broadcasters
Category:Sportspeople from Kingston upon Hull