Editing Murray Walker (section)

==Later years==
[[File:Birmingham Walk of Stars Murray Walker.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Murray Walker's star on the [[Birmingham Walk of Stars]]]]

He was retained by ITV on a part-time role reviewing the 2002 season at various points.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 February 2002|title=Walker takes on new ITV role|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/17969/walker-takes-on-new-itv-role|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200826151522/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/17969/walker-takes-on-new-itv-role|archive-date=26 August 2020|access-date=26 August 2020|website=Autosport}}</ref> Walker's autobiography, ''Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken'', was published in late 2002.<ref name=ScotsmanSep02/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Harrington|first=Marc|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/nov/04/thegear.shopping|title=Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken|date=4 November 2002|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910034546/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/nov/04/thegear.shopping|archive-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> He had eight publishers who wanted to put out the book,<ref name="AutosportInterview" /> and he began to compose it in early 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/4259163/Murray-Walker-finds-a-great-story-himself.html|title=Murray Walker finds a great story: himself|date=2 February 2001|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228065537/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/4259163/Murray-Walker-finds-a-great-story-himself.html|archive-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> Walker negotiated payment of the book sales with the publishers [[HarperCollins]],<ref name=ScotsmanSep02/> and he ventured to various worldwide locations to promote it.{{efn|One appearance was on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' in late 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Giles|title=Sport on TV: Walker takes America by storm|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/3035533/Sport-on-TV-Walker-takes-America-by-storm.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=3 October 2002|access-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319160037/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/3035533/Sport-on-TV-Walker-takes-America-by-storm.html|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite news|last=Spurgeon|first=Brad|url=https://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/unless-im-very-much-mistaken/|title=Unless I'm very much mistaken…|date=28 July 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001052735/https://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/unless-im-very-much-mistaken/|archive-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> He competed in Australia's [[Targa Tasmania]] tarmac rally road race as navigator to driver [[Colin Bond]] in a Toyota Team Racing-entered [[Toyota Camry|Toyota Camry Sportivo]] in May 2003, finishing second in their class and 44th overall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.targa.org.au/media/2003releases/19May2003Walker.htm|title=Murray Walker Post-Race Comments on Targa Tasmania Rally|last=Porter|first=Mike|date=19 May 2003|publisher=Targa Tasmania|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030727120141/http://www.targa.org.au/media/2003releases/19May2003Walker.htm|archive-date=27 July 2003|access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref> Walker navigated former Grand Prix competitor [[Chris Amon]] in a Toyota Camry Sportivo at the [[Targa New Zealand]] that took place five months later, where they finished eighth in their class and 114th outright.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Murray Walker Completes The Targa Double|url=https://toyota.pressroom.com.au/press_release_detail.asp?prID=947&clientID=2&navSectionID=2|url-status=live|publisher=Toyota Press Room Australia|date=4 November 2003|access-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027125306/http://www.toyota.pressroom.com.au/press_release_detail.asp?clientID=2&prID=947&navSectionID=2|archive-date=27 October 2009}}</ref>

In October 2005, it was announced that he would be returning to the microphone as the BBC's voice of the new [[Grand Prix Masters]] series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/27102005/13/gpm-murray-walker-returns.html|title=GPM – Murray Walker returns|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=29 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113105104/http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/27102005/13/gpm-murray-walker-returns.html|archive-date=13 January 2006}}</ref> After providing the commentary for the inaugural race in South Africa, in January 2006 [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] announced that Walker would be part of their team for their coverage of subsequent races.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/where-were-the-germans-and-frankly-who-cares-nn29xx06smh|title=Where were the Germans? And frankly, who cares...|date=2 March 2006|work=The Times|access-date=10 February 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He also conducted interviews and special features for the radio station throughout the [[2006 Formula One World Championship]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|date=8 March 2006|title=Radio 5 Live puts Walker in driving seat|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/mar/08/radio.formulaone|access-date=28 November 2020|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208202134/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/mar/08/radio.formulaone|url-status=live}}</ref>

Years of exposure to loud engines and age-related hearing problems had left Walker with [[hearing loss]] in both ears. In 2006 he became chief ambassador for David Ormerod Hearing Centres, a high-street audiology chain that fitted his hearing aids.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hearingaidknow.com/formula-1-engine-noise-affects-commentators-hearing|title=Formula 1 engine noise affects commentator's hearing|last=Claridge|first=Steve|year=2007|publisher=Hearing Aid Know|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220163057/https://www.hearingaidknow.com/formula-1-engine-noise-affects-commentators-hearing|archive-date=20 December 2019}}</ref>

In March 2006, the [[Honda Racing F1]] Team, formerly [[British American Racing]], announced that Walker would become its team ambassador for half of the [[2006 Formula One season|2006 season]]'s 18 Grands Prix, starting with the [[San Marino Grand Prix]] in April. Walker welcomed Honda Racing's [[Very Important Person (person)|VIP]] guests and entertained them with his F1 commentary.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.f1technical.net/news/1984 |title=Murray Walker makes F1 comeback with Honda |publisher=F1Technical.net |access-date=6 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314011843/http://www.f1technical.net/news/1984 |archive-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was [[Sky Sports]]' commentator for their coverage of [[Grand Prix Masters]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/motorsport/news/50875/sky-sports-lands-broadcasting-deal|title=Sky Sports lands broadcasting deal|last=Redmayne|first=Tim|date=12 April 2006|website=Autosport|url-status=live|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220163055/https://www.autosport.com/motorsport/news/50875/sky-sports-lands-broadcasting-deal|archive-date=20 December 2019}}</ref> performed commentary duties of the [[Australian Grand Prix]] for the Australian television broadcaster [[Network 10|Network Ten]] in 2006 and 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=29 March 2006|title=Grapevine: Walker returns to TV commentary|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/50502/walker-returns-to-tv-commentary|access-date=28 November 2020|website=Autosport|archive-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209091440/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/50502/walker-returns-to-tv-commentary|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|title=Murray Walker to make BBC F1 commentary return?|url=https://www.racefans.net/2007/06/10/murray-walker-to-make-bbc-f1-commentary-return/|publisher=RaceFans|date=26 March 2007|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> and voiced the [[Clipsal 500]] [[Supercars Championship|V8 Supercars]] race in Adelaide.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Eric|title=Commentator Walker's passion for racing keeps on shining through|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10716518|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=1 April 2011|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

In June 2007, Walker visited the Isle of Man to celebrate the Centenary of the Isle of Man TT,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A183080896/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=1dcd614d|title=Murray Walker to visit centenary TT|date=29 May 2007|work=Isle of Man Newspapers|access-date=10 February 2020|via=Gale OneFile: News|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and work on a DVD documentary about the event, ''TT: Centenary Celebration with Murray Walker''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bikesportnews.com/news/news-detail/major-exhibition-celebrating-the-tt|title=IOMTT {{!}} Major Exhibition Celebrating The TT|date=25 February 2008|publisher=BikeSportNews|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> In July 2007, Walker commentated on the [[2007 European Grand Prix|European Grand Prix]] for BBC Radio 5 Live. This was a one-off in lieu of regular commentator [[David Croft (broadcaster)|David Croft]] who was on paternity leave. He commented on the qualifying session, the race and presented the phone-in programme ''606'' to answer listeners' questions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Glenndering|first=Mark|title=Grapevine: Walker makes commentary return|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/61097/walker-makes-commentary-return|work=Autosport|date=23 July 2007|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

He and writer Philip Porter authored a book called ''Murray Walker Scrapbook'' on his memories and photographic memorabilia concerning his career with contributions from members of the Formula One community,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Baker|first=Andrew|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/andrew-baker/2298260/Sportsbooks-Walkers-book-could-be-better.html|title=Sportsbooks: Walker's book could be better|date=24 April 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 February 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211075705/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/andrew-baker/2298260/Sportsbooks-Walkers-book-could-be-better.html|archive-date=11 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2008/05/04/winning-formula-for-murray-scrapbook/|title=Winning formula for scrapbook|date=4 May 2008|work=[[Express & Star]]|access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref> which was published on 2 May 2008.<ref name=Indy2008/> On 28 June 2008, Walker was honoured by the people of his hometown and presented with a "Star" on the [[Birmingham Walk of Stars|Walk of Stars]] on [[Broad Street, Birmingham|Broad Street]], Birmingham.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7479354.stm|title=Birmingham honours Murray Walker|date=28 June 2008|access-date=20 December 2019|url-status=live|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010214326/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7479354.stm|archive-date=10 October 2008}}</ref>

Walker became a freelance website columnist for the BBC's recovered coverage of Formula One in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sundayafternoonclub.blogs.topgear.com/2008/11/25/beeb-presenters|title=Beeb Presenters|publisher=Sundayafternoonclub.blogs.topgear.com|date=25 November 2008|access-date=29 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713064152/http://sundayafternoonclub.blogs.topgear.com/2008/11/25/beeb-presenters/|archive-date=13 July 2009}}</ref> He voiced the part of his own character in two episodes of the [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Five]] children's television programme ''[[Roary the Racing Car]]'' in late 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/murray-walker-to-commentate-in-hit-childrens-tv-show-roary-the-racing-car-6772338.html|title=Murray Walker to commentate in hit children's TV show Roary the Racing Car|date=25 August 2009|work=[[London Evening Standard]]|access-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319160038/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/murray-walker-to-commentate-in-hit-childrens-tv-show-roary-the-racing-car-6772338.html|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> Walker made a further appearance on the programme as a professional skateboarder the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/murray-walker-is-skateboarding-star-28557329.html|title=Murray Walker is skateboarding star|date=6 September 2010|work=[[Belfast Telegraph]]|access-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319160034/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/murray-walker-is-skateboarding-star-28557329.html|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> In early 2011, he lent his voice as a racing commentator to the touring theatre production of ''Roary the Racing Car'' entitled ''Champion of Champions'' in an animated portion of the programme.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12319216|title=Murray Walker to commentate on live Roary show|date=30 January 2011|access-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live|publisher=[[BBC News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319230858/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12319216|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> A television documentary called ''Life in the Fast Lane'' centred on Walker's life and advertising and commentary career was broadcast on [[BBC Two]] on 5 June 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bny5bm|title = BBC Two - Murray Walker: A Life in the Fast Lane}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Patrick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8553398/Murray-Walker-Life-in-the-Fast-Lane-BBC-Two-preview.html|title=Murray Walker – Life in the Fast Lane, BBC Two, preview|date=2 June 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319174817/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8553398/Murray-Walker-Life-in-the-Fast-Lane-BBC-Two-preview.html|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref>

In May 2013, while on holiday, he had a fall, breaking his pelvis.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/murray-walker-breaks-pelvis-holiday-4022644|title=Murray Walker breaks pelvis in holiday fall|work=Birmingham Mail|date=28 May 2013|access-date=29 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608070627/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/murray-walker-breaks-pelvis-holiday-4022644|archive-date=8 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> During treatment for the fall, Walker was diagnosed with the early stages of [[Lymphoma|lymphatic system cancer]]. His condition was mild and treatable.<ref name=BBC2013WalkerCancer>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22946026|title=Murray Walker: F1 commentator diagnosed with cancer|date=17 June 2013|access-date=17 June 2013|url-status=live|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619061655/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22946026|archive-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> In June 2013, it was reported that Walker was to receive [[chemotherapy]] in the coming months, and had cancelled plans to attend the 2013 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.<ref name=BBC2013WalkerCancer/> Walker did not need chemotherapy anymore by July 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/28/on-the-mend-murray-walker-no-longer-requires-chemotherapy-3901678/|title=Formula One's legendary commentator Murray Walker reveals he no longer requires chemotherapy|publisher=The Metro|date=28 July 2013|access-date=8 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220110541/http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/28/on-the-mend-murray-walker-no-longer-requires-chemotherapy-3901678/|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the guest star on [[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'' on 16 March 2014, where he selected Chris McNab's ''How to Survive Anything, Anywhere: A Handbook of Survival Skills for Every Scenario and Environment'' as his choice of book, and a hammock and pillow as his luxury items.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03xzx62|title=Murray Walker, Desert Island Discs – BBC Radio 4|date=16 March 2014|publisher=BBC Radio 4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105104759/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03xzx62|archive-date=5 January 2017|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2015 it was announced Walker would present a new Formula One programme for [[BBC Two]] with [[Suzi Perry]]. The show called ''Formula 1 Rewind'' involved Walker looking back at some of the BBC's archives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/31735303|title=Formula 1: BBC offers extensive coverage of the 2015 season|work=BBC Sport|date=5 March 2015|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308004937/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/31735303|archive-date=8 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/formula-1-on-the-BBC|title=2015 Formula 1 on the BBC|publisher=BBC|date=5 March 2015|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307234232/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/formula-1-on-the-BBC|archive-date=7 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2015 he appeared on BBC's game show ''[[Pointless]]'', paired with Nigel Mansell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rf90c|title=BBC One – Pointless Celebrities, Series 8, Formula One|publisher=BBC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106095046/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rf90c|archive-date=6 November 2016|access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref>

In 2016 Walker moved with many other BBC F1 staff to [[Channel 4]] to present a series of interviews with the sport's key players.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/03/08/murray-walker-back-on-tv-as-part-of-channel-4-formula-one-line-u/|title=Murray Walker back on TV as part of Channel 4 Formula One line-up|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|date=8 March 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=20 December 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220171510/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/03/08/murray-walker-back-on-tv-as-part-of-channel-4-formula-one-line-u/|archive-date=20 December 2019}}</ref> Walker also provided continuity announcements to Formula One programming and races.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/voices-of-sport--murray-walker---the-high-octane-formula-one-commentator-who-was-always-a-big-hit-with-viewers-144140539.html|title=Voices of Sport: Murray Walker – The high octane Formula 1 commentator who was always a big hit with viewers|last=Metcalfe|first=Nick|date=17 June 2016|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref> Walker withdrew from Channel 4's commentary for the [[2018 British Grand Prix]] due to ill health but appeared in recorded features.<ref name=DTJuly16>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|title=Murray Walker: The legendary voice of Formula One laments the impending loss of free-to-air coverage|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/07/09/murray-walker-the-legendary-voice-of-formula-1-laments-the-impen/|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=9 July 2016|access-date=10 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228195653/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/07/09/murray-walker-the-legendary-voice-of-formula-1-laments-the-impen/|archive-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>