Who was Murray Walker? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In October

Also Known As: Graeme Murray Walker

Died At Age: 97

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Elizabeth Walker

father: Graham walker

mother: Elsie Spratt

Born Country: England

Journalists British Men

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Males

Died on: March 13, 2021

place of death: Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England

More Facts

education: Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Recommended For You

1

When did Murray Walker start his career as a motorsport commentator?

Murray Walker started his career as a motorsport commentator in 1948.
2

What is Murray Walker best known for?

Murray Walker is best known for his passionate and enthusiastic commentary in Formula One racing.
3

How long was Murray Walker a commentator for Formula One races?

Murray Walker was a commentator for Formula One races for over 50 years.
4

Which famous catchphrase is associated with Murray Walker?

The famous catchphrase associated with Murray Walker is "And I've got to stop because I've got a lump in my throat."
5

What was the title of Murray Walker's autobiography?

The title of Murray Walker's autobiography is "Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken."

Recommended Lists:

British Celebrities

Male Journalists

British Journalists

Male Media Personalities

British Media Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

Murray Walker was born in Hall Green, Birmingham, England, to Graham Walker. His father was a sales competition director at the Rudge-Whitworth Motorcycle Company and was a motorcyclist for Norton Motorcycle Company.

Walker went to the Highgate School and attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst during the time of World War II. Later he participated in the Battle of the Reichswald but left the army after getting the rank of captain.

After leaving the army, he worked for Dunlop and Aspro in advertising and then joined the Masius ad agency. He kept working with the company even after he had a successful career as a commentator.

Continue Reading Below

Career

In 1949, Walker got his first big commentating fixture for the British Grand Prix, Silverstone for the BBC Radio. He did it along with Max Robertson. Before this, he did a little stint at the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb.

After this, Murray started doing Formula 1 commentary full-time for the rest of 1970s for BBC. He used to do the commentary with his father and it was only after his death in 1962 that he got his position of chief motorcycling commentator.

From 1980-1993, during his Formula 1 coverage, Murray collaborated with the World Champion James Hunt. Initially they were not able to hit it off on screen but soon the pair became hit and worked for almost 10 years for BBC together.

From 1987-1997, Murray wrote annuals for the Grand Prix season for Hazelton Publishing titled Murray Walker’s Grand Prix Year. These books are very famous amongst the Formula 1 enthusiasts for his expert writing and analysis.

From 1993-1996, ex-Formula 1 driver Jonathan Palmer collaborated with Walker in the commentary box and the pair worked together for almost 3 years. From time to time other people like Alan Jones too joined him.

In 1997, Murray left BBC and joined ITV because of the transfer of television rights for the UK coverage of the Formula 1. His co-commenter was Martin Brundle, a retired Formula 1 driver. The pair worked together until Murray’s retirement.

In 2000, Murray publically announced that he would retire from commentary for the Formula 1 races. The next year, for United States Grand Prix, he did his final commentary. He was awarded an authentic brick from ‘The Brickyard’.

In 2005, it was announced that Walker would return back to commentating and he again became a part of the BBC coverage of the new Grand Prix Masters series. He commentated on the opening race in South Africa the next year.

In 2006, he was declared as the chief ambassador for David Ormerod Hearing Centers. Also, he became the team ambassador for the half season for the Honda Racing F 1 team. He also covered Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar.

Continue Reading Below

In 2007, he became a part of the DVD documentary ‘TT: Centenary Celebration with Murray Walker’, for which he visited the Isle of Man. He also commentated on the European Grand Prix for BBC Radio 5 Live.

In 2008, Walker became a web columnist for the BBC recovered coverage of Formula 1. In the same year, he was honored in Birmingham, and was presented with a ‘Star’ on the Walk of Stars on Broad Street.

In 2011, he appeared on the ‘Free Practice 3’ as a co-commentator for BBC F1 on BBC Five Live and BBC one. He also made an appearance on the Qualifying show with Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordon, David Coulthard and Martin Brundle.

Personal Life, Legacy & Death

Murray Walker married Elizabeth in 1955. The couple had no children. In 2011, a documentary was premiered on BBC 2 with the title Life in the Fast Lane. It was based on his life, showing Walker’s contribution in changing the shape of the Formula One races. It showed all the aspects of his life.

In 2013, Walker fell and broke his pelvis. It was the same time when he was diagnosed with lymphatic system cancer. He was 89 at the time and the doctors reassured that he will be alright. He underwent chemotherapy.

Death

On 13 March 2021, Murray Walker died at the age of 97.

Trivia

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters Degree from Bournemouth University and was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Middlesex University, London.

Murray Walker Biography

You wanted to know

When did Murray Walker start his career as a motorsport commentator?

What is Murray Walker best known for?

How long was Murray Walker a commentator for Formula One races?

Which famous catchphrase is associated with Murray Walker?

What was the title of Murray Walker's autobiography?

Death