Newbury’s Own Garry Richardson Bids Farewell- A 43-Year Legacy

Garry Richardson, a beloved local boy from Newbury, has decided to retire.

Garry Richardson has finished his last sports bulletin today on Radio 4’s Today programme – 50 years to the day since he started at the BBC.

He left saying -“It’s been wonderful and I’ve been very lucky.” 

Garry’s  farewell on Radio 4 can be heard here

Fondly known for hosting the Sunday morning sports program Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 Live until September 15, 2019, Garry continued to charm audiences as a sports presenter on the weekday morning Today show on BBC Radio 4 until September 9, 2024, marking an impressive 43-year tenure.

The esteemed Garry Richardson will be stepping away from delivering sports news on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Garry has interviewed Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, and President Bill Clinton.

He has filmed with Hollywood stars including Ben Stiller and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He has covered 7 Olympic Games for BBC TV.

Hailing from Newbury, Garry grew up and attended Winchcombe school, where he shared a classroom with Paul.

His talent shone through when he was chosen, along with his classmates, to perform at the Albert Hall as part of the school orchestra – showcasing his skill in playing the triangle.

It’s worth noting that he is also an accomplished singer.

During his school days, Garry found joy in sports, particularly football.

Although his dream of becoming a professional footballer was not realised, he found solace in his passion for broadcasting.

Garry embarked on his BBC journey at the age of 17 at the BBC’s Written Archives Centre in Caversham, starting as a “tea boy” in the BBC Archive before volunteering for Radio Oxford.

His adventurous spirit led him to climb Didcot power station without a harness while carrying bulky radio equipment for a live report.

Garry’s quick wit and humour made him a sought-after dinner speaker, a role he plans to continue.

His hilarious stories include what happened behind the scenes when he interviewed President Bill Clinton, and why Nelson Mandela gave him a friendly punch during an interview.

There are hilarious anecdotes about working with Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Ben Stiller.

What happened with Prime Minsters David Cameron and Gordon Brown in the studio.

Garry has interviewed sports stars like David Beckham, Serena Williams, and Alex Ferguson, his list of interviewees is endless.

Notable for his sense of humour, Garry played a key role in bringing Sir Richard Stillgoe, Rev Richard Coles, Alistair McGowan, and Charlotte Green together for a side-splitting stage show called Wireless Wise at the Chichester Festival Theatre, showcasing their radio experiences.

On a personal note, during a lunch outing, Garry amused the entire pub when he called a friend of ours – a devoted fan in an off the cuff amusing conversation!

The light-hearted moment showcased Garry’s fun-loving personality and humor, leaving everyone in stitches.

His last interview this morning on the today programme was an interview with Andy Murray who has not been interviewed by anyone else since retiring, a fitting tribute to the talent an appreciation of Garry Richardson.

Good luck in your future Garry and thank- you for all those wonderful moments you have shared with us all.