talkSPORT presenter Sam Matterface revealed his father passed away on Friday night. He returned to work on Monday and praised his father, insisting that “he would have done the same thing” but saying, “Radio has always been my buddy.” Matterface covered the shocking news in less than two minutes before turning the focus to professional matters and launching into a discussion about Liverpool and Arsenal after the weekend’s games.
Before that, he said he wanted to be “open and honest” in announcing the death of his father, who was affectionately known as “Little Pete” by colleague Alan Brazil. Matterface described his father’s death as “pretty traumatic circumstances” before explaining how his father, who worked as a painter and decorator, introduced him to radio during his childhood. He went on to emphasize how much pride his father took in his career.
he said: “Radio was his friend. I want it to be your friend, and it’s because of him that it will always be my friend. I hope today is also my brother’s friend, my sister’s friend, his friend’s friend, and his wife’s friend, because that’s important. So, let’s get started…”
More than 15 years ago, talkSPORT hired Sam Matterface from Sky Sports News as chief commentator for the new football season.
Matterface joined Sky Sports News in 2007 and previously worked as a talkSPORT reporter at Capital Gold, as well as hosting the breakfast program at Portsmouth Station 107.4 The Quay.
“Honestly, I’m going to be honest with you right away. Things weren’t going particularly well for me this morning, and I’ll tell you why. It’s been a particularly tough weekend for me and my family, as I lost my father on Friday night suddenly and in some pretty shocking circumstances. So today, I want you to open up to me a little bit and indulge me a little bit.”
“Little Pete, as Alan Brazil affectionately nicknamed him on The Breakfast Show, loved Alan, loved TalkSport, loved radio. People will probably ask why I came to work today, and you might be wondering too.
“But the truth is, he would have done the same thing, and the other thing is, it’s important. I’m sure you’ve all been in a situation like this. When you’re working, you’re driving, sometimes you’re happy, sometimes you’re sad. I found the radio to be my constant companion, and I’m sure you would too. He introduced me to the radio. He was a painter and decorator, and he had a radio with him everywhere he went.”
“He liked that I was on his favorite radio station, talkSPORT. Radio was his friend. I hope radio is your friend. And it’s because of him that radio has always been my friend. And today, I hope it’s also my brother’s friend, my sister’s friend, and his wife’s friend, because that’s important.”
