Sky Sports rugby league commentator dies

Sky Sports rugby league commentator Bill Arthur has died following a long battle with prostate cancer.

The 68-year-old, who was diagnosed in 2011, died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by his family, the broadcaster confirmed.

“We are truly saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Bill Arthur,” said managing director Jonathan Licht. “Bill has been a mainstay of Sky Sports’ rugby league coverage for the last 30 years.

“I want to express my personal gratitude to Bill for his unwavering commitment to Sky, as well as the passion and devotion he brought to our viewers and fans of the sport.

“I know that Bill will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to work with him, and I would like to extend my condolences to Bill’s wife, Cherry, and his family for their loss.”

Sky Sports rugby league pundit Barrie McDermott and former commentator Eddie Hemmings, who has also had prostate cancer, are among those who have paid tribute.

“His courage in taking on the disease head on was an inspiration to men like me, who followed him every step of the way,” Hemmings said. “He helped me fight the disease, which has now cruelly taken him from us, and I will never forget his support and the sound advice he gave me. Such a brave guy.”

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“I count myself very fortunate to be one of those people who listened and learned from him,” said McDermott. “I’ll always be grateful for his guidance, support and his friendship over the years.”

Beginning his journalism career in newspapers in South Yorkshire, Arthur worked for the Barnsley Star and Sheffield Star before transitioning into radio, working for Metro Radio in Newcastle and Radio City in Liverpool.

He then moved into breakfast television for TV AM and worked for Champion TV as the North West reporter. From 1990, he worked on The Sports Channel which then went on to become Sky Sports the following year.

A dedicated rugby league fan, in the early 1990s he became the regular pitchside reporter for live matches and feature reporter for the magazine programme Boots ‘N’ All.

He was also part of the coverage of summer rugby and Super League right from the start.

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Arthur was there pitchside at Old Trafford for the first Super League Grand Final and would go on to work on every edition of the competition’s showpiece occasion up to the end of the 2023 season.

He also provided his expertise in the commentary box as well, for the Academy League in the late 1990s, and he was lead commentator for Sky’s Championship coverage from 2007 to 2012, working alongside Barrie McDermott and Terry O’Connor.

He eventually stepped up to become Sky Sports’ lead rugby league commentator following Hemmings’ retirement in April 2019.

His time behind the microphone included the emotional moment the late Rob Burrow entered the field in his final game for Leeds Rhinos against Bradford Bulls in 2020.

He also commented on his beloved Catalans Dragons’ runs to the Grand Finals of 2021 and 2023, although in each of those deciders he would see them defeated by St Helens and Wigan Warriors respectively.

Arthur is survived by his wife Cherry and children, Simon, Meredith, Kit and Nancy.

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