Derek “Tommo” Thompson, a legendary BBC racing commentator, recently found himself at the center of a social media storm following a particularly chaotic race call at Ayr. Thompson, who has enjoyed a 60-year career in broadcasting, stumbled through the concluding stages of the 3:45 pm bumper race, repeatedly misidentifying horses and struggling to articulate a coherent narrative of the race’s closing moments. His culminating blunder involved announcing Out Of The Woods as a surprise late winner despite the horse having led for the final furlong. This on-air mishap sparked a wave of reactions online, ranging from amusement to outright condemnation.
The incident quickly became viral fodder, with some viewers finding the flub humorously entertaining, labeling it “comedy gold” and revelling in the unintentional comedic value of Thompson’s confused commentary. Others, however, took a harsher stance, criticizing the veteran commentator’s performance as “embarrassing,” “shocking,” and “awful.” Some argued that the gaffe reflected poorly on Thompson’s professionalism and even called for his immediate retirement, a particularly pointed suggestion given Thompson’s own Christmas Day announcement of his impending retirement at the end of the year.
The incident’s virality was further fueled by Thompson’s colourful and often controversial history in the world of racing commentary. He is perhaps most widely recognized for the infamous “it’s a man actually, Derek” exchange on Sky Sports and for denying King Charles his sole victory as a jockey in a 1980 charity race. Thompson’s career began at the young age of 15, calling a point-to-point meeting. He subsequently joined BBC Sport, becoming arguably the youngest commentator to call the Grand National at Aintree in 1973. His career also included stints at ITV and Channel 4, where he became a well-known figure alongside personalities like John McCririck and Alastair Down.
Thompson’s distinctive style, characterized by his quick wit and occasional off-the-cuff remarks, has sometimes drawn comparisons to the fictional character Alan Partridge. This perception has been solidified by various memorable, if sometimes cringe-inducing, lines throughout his career. The Ayr race commentary blunder only served to amplify this association, further contributing to the online discussion surrounding his performance.
Despite the tumultuous commentary, Thompson ultimately did correctly identify the winner of the race: Lucinda Russell’s Out Of The Woods, a 16-1 outsider. This detail, however, was largely overshadowed by the chaotic nature of his call. The incident underscored the high expectations placed on seasoned commentators, especially in the fast-paced world of horse racing, where accurate and concise descriptions are crucial for viewers and punters alike. The stark contrast between the reactions – some finding humour, others expressing disappointment or anger – highlights the diverse perspectives within the audience and the varying levels of tolerance for errors in live broadcasting.
The incident involving Derek Thompson serves as a reminder of the pressures inherent in live broadcasting, particularly in a field as dynamic as horse racing commentary. It also underscores the power of social media in amplifying such moments, turning a fleeting on-air blunder into a widely discussed and debated topic. The diverging responses – those amused by the gaffe and those critical of it – underscore the subjective nature of humour and the varied expectations audiences have of seasoned professionals. While Thompson’s long career is undoubtedly marked by many successes, this incident, coming so close to his announced retirement, unfortunately became a prominent point of discussion in his final year.
