Lonan3 Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 IOM TODAY STORY TT commentator Geoff Cannell has died. Mr Cannell died on Monday after being taken ill. Best known for his commentary work on the TT, Mr Cannell was a former news editor and sports editor at Manx Radio, as well as a regular correspondent on motorbikes for newspapers. He was also MHK for Onchan from 1998 to 2001 and a serving member of the Board of Education. He leaves a wife, Lynda, and daughter, Zoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 My condolences to his family, this must be a terrable shock. Saw him at a family wedding just this weekend and he was in fine form, even up having a dance. A manx legend who will be grately missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homarus Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 R.I.P. big man, a true manxie!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ans Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Crikey. I saw him a lot in the Press Room at the Grandstand over the MGP week. He was still working hard for the racers, managing the press, interviewing the riders. My one abiding memory of Geoff was sitting on my back wall, aged about 9 years old, watching him have a proper fistfight with some guy in the back lane behind my house. This guy's car was blocking the lane and Geoff got out of his and started to drive this other car off as the keys were in the ignition. Other guy wasn't that happy and dragged him out and they had a fight on the spot. Brilliant stuff. I don't remember who won. I'm sure someone will step up to take over his role, but they're big shoes to fill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 My one abiding memory of Geoff was sitting on my back wall, aged about 9 years old, watching him have a proper fistfight with some guy in the back lane behind my house. This guy's car was blocking the lane and Geoff got out of his and started to drive this other car off as the keys were in the ignition. Other guy wasn't that happy and dragged him out and they had a fight on the spot. Brilliant stuff. I don't remember who won. Must have been a habit - I saw him do something similar at a Douglas Head scramble years ago - when he thought he would help out by driving the St John Ambulances' ambulance down to the seen of an accident. No fisticuffs but he did get a one way conversation, with frequent use of the word 'off'. Sad news. A great character. I bet he and Peter Kneale are commenting on heavenly races somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 I worked with Geoff over the MGP this year - a great shock when I found out about it last night. He will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jampton Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 I always liked his commentry for TT and MGP. I have e-mailed the sad news around the world this morning to others who admired his radio work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemonday Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 TT has lost a champion of the cause. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grianane Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 A hell of a nice guy, worked with him about 20 years ago. Always had an opinion, never slow to express it, but likeable just the same. A very sad loss for motor racing/trials on the Island Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K.os Theory Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 a real shock, he's been the voice of my TT weeks since I was a nipper the radio commentary just won't sound the same again...my condolences to his family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagman Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Whether you liked him or not - I once heard him described as being well-balanced in that he had a chip on both shoulders - Geoff was a real character with some cracking stories to tell. A very sad day for the Isle of Man and for motorsport in general. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celt Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Not everyone agreed with what he had to say but he always said it with Honesty, Commitment and Conviction. I always remember him for, " Remember, In Sport, Be a Sport " at the end off his sport slot on MR. A Great Ambassidor to Manx sport over the years and will be greatly missed. R.I.P GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyorhythm Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 A sad loss to his family & friends, the media & broadcasting , "He had the ability to make a great event even better on the radio" a huge loss to the Island R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERED Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 I always thought that it was the late (and truly great!) Peter Kneale, who used to end his reports with " Remember, In Sport, Be a Sport ", long before Mr Cannell arrived on the scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Flynn Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 R.I.P. Geoff I saw him just a few days ago at the Q.E. School prizegiving - just his normal self. A great loss to the Manx scene - a unique character - big in body, big in opinions - and not afraid to let you know what he thinks. Refreshing I thought. My sympathies go out to his lovely wife and daughter, Linda and Zoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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