Ted Lowe
Encyclopedia
Edwin Charles Ernest Lowe, MBE
(1 November 1920 – 1 May 2011), known as Ted Lowe, was an English snooker
commentator for the BBC
. His unmistakably husky, hushed tones earned him the nickname "Whispering Ted".
, Berkshire
, Lowe was general manager of London's Leicester Square Hall, the home of professional billiards and snooker. He got his break one day when the BBC's regular commentator, Raymond Glendenning
, succumbed to laryngitis. He was the commentator for the snooker television show Pot Black
from 1969. He went on to become the "voice of snooker" and led the commentary in many tournaments. He also commentated in what is generally regarded as snooker's greatest final, that between Steve Davis
and Dennis Taylor
in the 1985 World Snooker Championship
.
Lowe uttered the occasional on-air gaffe, his most famous quote being, "and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green." He once told viewers that Fred Davis, struggling to rest one leg on the edge of the table in order to reach a long shot, "is getting on a bit and is having trouble getting his leg over".
Lowe retired after the 1996 World Snooker Championship
final, although he briefly joined in the commentary for the 2005 World Championship final between Matthew Stevens
and Shaun Murphy
, which Murphy won. This was the last final sponsored by Embassy
.
Lowe died, aged 90, in Bexhill-on-Sea
, on the morning of the first session of the 2011 World Snooker Championship
final. He is survived by his wife Jean.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1 November 1920 – 1 May 2011), known as Ted Lowe, was an English snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
commentator for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. His unmistakably husky, hushed tones earned him the nickname "Whispering Ted".
Life and career
Born in LambournLambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, Lowe was general manager of London's Leicester Square Hall, the home of professional billiards and snooker. He got his break one day when the BBC's regular commentator, Raymond Glendenning
Raymond Glendenning
Raymond Glendenning was a BBC radio sports commentator.-Early years:He was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, and was educated at Newport High School and the University of London...
, succumbed to laryngitis. He was the commentator for the snooker television show Pot Black
Pot Black
Pot Black was a British series of snooker tournaments televised by BBC, that played a large part in the popularisation of the modern game, from 1969 to 1986. The event was revived in the form of several one-off tournaments throughout the 1990s and up to 2007...
from 1969. He went on to become the "voice of snooker" and led the commentary in many tournaments. He also commentated in what is generally regarded as snooker's greatest final, that between Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
and Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor is a retired snooker player, and current BBC snooker commentator. Winner of two ranking events, he is best known for winning the 1985 World Championship, beating World number one Steve Davis on the final black in one of the sport's most memorable finals...
in the 1985 World Snooker Championship
World Snooker Championship 1985
The 1985 Embassy World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield between 12 and 28 April 1985....
.
Lowe uttered the occasional on-air gaffe, his most famous quote being, "and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green." He once told viewers that Fred Davis, struggling to rest one leg on the edge of the table in order to reach a long shot, "is getting on a bit and is having trouble getting his leg over".
Lowe retired after the 1996 World Snooker Championship
World Snooker Championship 1996
The 1996 Embassy World Snooker Championship snooker tournament took place at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield between 20 April–6 May 1996.Stephen Hendry won in the final 18–12 against Peter Ebdon.-Notable moments:...
final, although he briefly joined in the commentary for the 2005 World Championship final between Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
and Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy (snooker player)
Shaun Murphy is an English professional snooker player, who won the 2005 World Championship. Nicknamed "The Magician", Murphy is noted for his straight cue action and his long potting. He is known for his dedication and for being a devout Christian.Born in Harlow, England, Murphy turned...
, which Murphy won. This was the last final sponsored by Embassy
Embassy (cigarette)
Embassy is a brand of cigarettes from Imperial Tobacco. First sold in 1914 and relaunched as a coupon brand in 1962, in 1976 they were invited to sponsor the World Snooker Championships, which they did from then until 2005 at which time they had to pull out due to the UK government's ban on tobacco...
.
Lowe died, aged 90, in Bexhill-on-Sea
Bexhill-on-Sea
Bexhill-on-Sea is a town and seaside resort in the county of East Sussex, in the south of England, within the District of Rother. It has a population of approximately 40,000...
, on the morning of the first session of the 2011 World Snooker Championship
2011 World Snooker Championship
The 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 16 April and 2 May 2011 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. It was the 74th edition of the event and was the last ranking event of the 2010/2011 snooker season...
final. He is survived by his wife Jean.