Editing Murray Walker

{{Short description|British commentator and journalist (1923–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
|image = MurrayWalkerAutosportInternational2009.jpg
|caption = Walker in 2009
|birth_name = Graeme Murray Walker
|birth_date = {{birth date|1923|10|10|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Hall Green]], [[Birmingham]], England
|death_date = {{death date and age|2021|3|13|1923|10|10|df=y}}
|death_place = [[Fordingbridge]], [[Hampshire]], England
|nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per [[WP:INFONAT]] -->
|spouse = {{marriage|Elizabeth Walker|1955}}
|father = [[Graham Walker (motorcyclist)|Graham Walker]]
|employer = {{Ublist | [[BBC Sport]] (1963–1996, 2009{{nbnd}}2015) | [[ITV Sport]] (1997–2001)|[[Channel 4]] (2016–2020)}}
|years active = 1948–2020
|occupation = {{Hlist|Presenter|commentator|journalist|[[advertising agency|advertising agent]]}}
|education = [[Highgate School]]
|alma_mater = [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]]
|module = {{Infobox military person 
|embed = yes
| allegiance    = <!-- United Kingdom -->
| branch        = [[British Army]]
| serviceyears  = 1942–1946
| servicenumber = 14406224
| rank          = [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]]
| unit          = [[Royal Scots Greys]], [[4th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|4th Armoured Brigade]]
| battles       = [[Battle of the Reichswald]] }}
}}

'''Graeme Murray Walker''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} (10 October 1923 – 13 March 2021)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/formula-1-commentary-icon-murray-walker-dies-aged-97/5714734/ |title=Formula 1 Commentary icon Murray Walker dies aged 97 |publisher=Motorsport.com |date=13 March 2021 |accessdate=13 March 2021 |archive-date=13 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313202237/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/formula-1-commentary-icon-murray-walker-dies-aged-97/5714734/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=bbc>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/56388596 |title=Murray Walker: Formula 1 broadcasting legend dies at 97 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2021 |accessdate=13 March 2021 |archive-date=13 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313184901/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/56388596 |url-status=live }}</ref> was an English [[motorsport]] [[Sportscaster|commentator]] and journalist. He provided television commentary of live [[Formula One]] coverage for the [[BBC]] between 1976 and 1996, and for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] between 1997 and 2001.

During his 23-year run as full-time commentator, Walker became known for his animated enthusiasm, authoritative voice and comical blunders – dubbed "[[Colemanballs|Murrayisms]]" by fans – during live races. His commentary voice has been likened to a "screech and resembles a 500cc engine being revved up".<ref name=Guardian2000>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/dec/27/features11.g21|title=So, goodbye to Murray Walker|last=Moss|first=Stephen|date=27 December 2000|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509102108/http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/dec/27/features11.g21|archive-date=9 May 2014|access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> He retired from full-time commentary after the [[2001 United States Grand Prix]], but returned to broadcasting part-time in 2005 and made occasional appearances on the BBC, [[Channel 4]], [[10 Sport|Network 10]] and [[Sky Sports F1]].

==Early life==
Graeme Murray Walker was born at 214 Reddings Lane in [[Hall Green]], [[Birmingham, West Midlands|Birmingham]], England, on 10 October 1923.<ref name="walker">{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Murray|title=Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken|year=2002|publisher=Harper Collins|location=London, UK|isbn=0-00-766373-0}}</ref> His family is of Scottish descent.<ref name="ScotsmanSep02">{{Cite news|last=Hannan|first=Martin|date=15 September 2002|title=Plenty left in the tank|page=12|work=[[The Scotsman]]|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A91533489/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=375d3313|url-access=subscription|access-date=10 February 2020|via=Gale OneFile: News}}</ref> His father [[Graham Walker (motorcyclist)|Graham Walker]] was a [[despatch rider]] and works motorcyclist for the [[Norton Motorcycle Company]] who participated in the [[Isle of Man TT]]. His mother, Elsie Spratt, was the daughter of Harry Spratt, a businessman from [[Leighton Buzzard]], Bedfordshire.<ref name="walker" /> Walker was an only child.<ref name="BEMSep98">{{Cite news|last=Young|first=Graham|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A60860166/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=7ce2e4a7|title=And there goes Murray Walker!; Brummie motor racing king Murray Walker is back in the Midlands this weekend to celebrate 50 years as a commentator.|date=5 September 1998|work=Birmingham Evening Mail|access-date=10 February 2020|page=20|via=Gale OneFile: News|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1925 Walker and his family moved to [[Wolverhampton]] when Graham became the Competition Manager for [[Sunbeam Cycles|Sunbeam]]. The family later moved to [[Coventry]] in 1928, when Graham worked as the Sales and Competition Director for [[Rudge-Whitworth]].<ref name="walker"/>

Walker's education began with a governess at the family home, followed by spells at preparatory schools around the country. He attended [[Highgate School]], gaining a Distinction in [[Divinity]]. While at Highgate he joined the School Corps, learning to play the [[bugle]].<ref name="walker" /> Walker was at a trials event with his father in Austria when the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]] occurred in September 1939.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Adam|date=13 March 2021|title=Murray Walker obituary: F1 broadcasting legend dies aged 97|work=Autosport|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/murray-walker-obituary-f1-broadcasting-legend-dies-aged-97/5715829/?nrt=54|access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref> Upon returning to Britain, the Highgate School governors became concerned about the possible extent of bombing raids on London, and so Walker and his fellow pupils were evacuated to [[Westward Ho!]] in Devon, staying there until 1941. During this time, Walker rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major of the School Corps.<ref name="walker"/>

Walker was later [[Conscription in the United Kingdom|conscripted into the armed forces]] and applied to volunteer for tanks, but was required to wait until a training place became available. In the meantime, he worked with the [[Dunlop Rubber Company]], which offered 12 scholarships annually and was based at [[Fort Dunlop]] in [[Erdington]], Birmingham. Walker had been evacuated to Erdington and lived with the Bellamy family at 58 Holly Lane. On 1 October 1942 he travelled to [[Wool, Dorset|Wool]] in Dorset, where he reported to the 30th Primary Training Wing at [[Bovington Camp|Bovington]], the headquarters of the [[Royal Armoured Corps]].<ref name="walker"/>

Walker later attended and graduated from the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]], and was [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] into the [[Royal Scots Greys]] on 16 April 1944.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36519|page=2277|date=16 May 1944|supp=y}}</ref> The salute at his commissioning parade was taken by American [[General (United States)|General]] [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], the [[Supreme Allied Commander]] for the upcoming [[Operation Overlord|Allied invasion of Normandy]]. Walker went on to command a [[M4 Sherman|Sherman tank]] and to participate in the [[Operation Veritable|Battle of the Reichswald]] with the [[4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East|4th Armoured Brigade]]. He left the Army in 1946, having attained the rank of [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]].<ref name="walker"/>

Following the war, Walker briefly followed in his father's footsteps by taking up motorcycle racing, competing against, among others, a young [[John Surtees]]. After limited success, he switched to competing in [[motorcycle trials]], where he made a greater mark, including taking a gold at the [[International Six Days Enduro|International Six Days Trial]] and winning a first-class award at the [[Scottish Six Days Trial]].<ref name="MMagInterview" />

After briefly attending [[University of Roehampton|Roehampton Technical Institute]] to study shipping management,<ref name="drivetribe">{{cite news|last=Albers-Daly|first=Thiemo|date=August 2020|title=F1 Spotlight – Murray Walker|work=DriveTribe|url=https://drivetribe.com/p/f1-spotlight-murray-walker-Gmepd0ZWTYOwCeC5SwDh_g|access-date=5 October 2020|archive-date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113044354/https://drivetribe.com/p/f1-spotlight-murray-walker-Gmepd0ZWTYOwCeC5SwDh_g|url-status=dead}}</ref> Walker worked in advertising for [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]] and [[Aspirin|Aspro]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/formula-one/article/murray-walker-the-public-do-not-understand-how-talented-drivers-are-d9nfnpmc3|title=Murray Walker: the public do not understand how talented drivers are|date=14 March 2019|author=Rick Broadbent|website=The Times|access-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301024454/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/murray-walker-the-public-do-not-understand-how-talented-drivers-are-d9nfnpmc3|archive-date=1 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He was then headhunted by [[McCann Erickson]], where he worked on the firm's account with [[Esso]].<ref name=":0" /> Following this, he was employed as an accounts director by the Masius advertising agency, with clients including [[British Rail]], [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] and [[Mars, Incorporated|Mars]], for whom the agency created the slogan "A [[Mars (chocolate bar)|Mars]] a day helps you work rest and play"; Walker repeatedly denied the attribution of the slogan to himself, saying that he was only an administrator on the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/01/motorsports.oliverowen|title=Mint condition|date=1 July 2007|author=Oliver Owen|website=The Guardian|access-date=14 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902131719/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/01/motorsports.oliverowen|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He did not retire from this job until the age of 59, long after he had gained fame as a commentator.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Keating|first=Frank|date=14 March 2021|title=Murray Walker obituary|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/14/murray-walker-obituary|access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref>

Walker created the slogan "Trill makes budgies bounce with health" – an advertising slogan for bird seed in the 1960s – as well as the slogan "[[Starburst (candy)|Opal Fruits]], made to make your mouth water."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/01/motorsports.oliverowen|title=Interview: Murray Walker|work=The Guardian|date=1 July 2007|access-date=29 April 2009|location=London, UK|first=Oliver|last=Owen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002215654/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/01/motorsports.oliverowen|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He is credited with the naming of the late 1960s Vauxhall [[Vauxhall Victor|Ventora]], with the car's original proposed name, Ventura, being rejected by [[General Motors]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Roberts|first=Andrew|date=November 2017|title=Victor turns 60!|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/practical-classics-uk/20171101/281706909823630|journal=Practical Classes|pages=68–78|url-access=subscription|access-date=1 March 2020|via=PressReader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301065312/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/practical-classics-uk/20171101/281706909823630|archive-date=1 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career as a commentator==
Walker made his first public broadcast at [[Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb|Shelsley Walsh hillclimb]] in 1948.<ref name=BEMSep98/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/3608145.Murray_attends_as_F1_legend_honoured|title=Murray attends as F1 legend honoured|date=20 August 2008|access-date=3 April 2009|publisher=[[The Shuttle (newspaper)|The Shuttle]]|quote=I made my first ever broadcast from Shelsley Walsh in 1948...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723031735/http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/3608145.Murray_attends_as_F1_legend_honoured/|archive-date=23 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He was given a recorded audition for the BBC at the 1949 Easter Monday Goodwood race. Walker later commentated on races alongside the tennis commentator [[Max Robertson]], with his first radio broadcasting coming at the [[1949 British Grand Prix]] for the BBC. He and Robertson were positioned at Stowe corner for the event.<ref name="MMagInterview" /> His debut television broadcast came in the same year when he commentated on hill-climbing at the [[Knatts Valley]] motorcycle venue in [[Kent]].<ref name="BEMSep98" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Sweeting|first=Adam|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A170477399/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=c5cd1984|title=Interview: Full rev to the final straight – Murray Walker may soon be hanging up his microphone but Adam Sweeting meets a man who is not down in the pits|date=30 December 1995|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 March 2020|page=25|via=Gale General OneFile}}</ref> His first regular broadcasting work was on radio coverage of the [[Isle of Man]] annual [[Isle of Man TT|Tourist Trophy]] motorcycle race alongside his father.<ref name="walker" /> Walker and his father were the single father and son sports commentary pair within the BBC from 1949 to 1962. After the death of his father in 1962, he became the BBC's chief motorcycling commentator.<ref name=":0" />

He did occasional Formula 1 commentaries during the 1970s before going full-time for the 1978 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/oct/02/features.sport11|title=First and last: Murray Walker|first=Interview by Nick|last=Greenslade|date=1 October 2005|work=The Guardian|access-date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230153605/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/oct/02/features.sport11|archive-date=30 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Walker was asked by the head of BBC Sport [[Paul Fox (television executive)|Paul Fox]] to commentate on the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Bristol, and he asked the weightlifter Oscar Slate to educate him on the sport.<ref name="MMagInterview" /> He covered the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] in 1967,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oakley |first=William |date=10 June 1967 |title=Debating the value of the monarchy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-argus-bbc1-le-mans-south-w/165169111/ |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=[[South Wales Argus]] |page=2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> motocross (initially for ITV and BBC) during the 1960s and rallycross in the 1970s and early 1980s. He occasionally commentated on [[Motocross|scrambling]] (now motocross) motorcycle racing and rallying during the 1960s through to the 1980s. Walker covered the [[British Touring Car Championship]] (BTCC) for the BBC between 1969 and 1971 and also 1988 and 1997, and the [[Macau Grand Prix]] for Hong Kong TV on nine occasions. He joined the [[Seven Network|Channel 7]] commentary team of the [[Bathurst 1000]] Australian touring car race in [[1997 AMP Bathurst 1000|1997]] and [[1998 AMP Bathurst 1000|1998]].<ref name="walker"/> As the BBC began to broadcast additional forms of motor racing, he commented on [[Formula Three|Formula 3]], [[Formula Ford]] and [[truck racing]].<ref name="MMagInterview" />

On Formula One coverage from the [[1980 Monaco Grand Prix]] to the [[1993 Canadian Grand Prix]], Walker struck up a surprisingly successful, and extremely popular, double act with {{f1|1976}} World Champion [[James Hunt]].<ref name="MMagInterview" /><ref name="AutosportInterview" /> Initially, they did not get on, as Hunt's interests, personality and private life appeared to have little in common with Walker's. However, the pair eventually became good friends. Walker and Hunt were to work together for more than a decade at the [[BBC]], until Hunt's death from a heart attack two days after the [[1993 Canadian Grand Prix]], aged 45.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Horton|first=Roger|date=20 December 2000|title=There's Something about Murray|url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/dec20/horton.html|journal=Atlas F1|volume=6|issue=51|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104151027/http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/dec20/horton.html|archive-date=4 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

When in the commentary booth together, Walker would provide his animated descriptions of the action, with Hunt bringing in his expert knowledge, which included inside information from the pit lane, typically from his former team [[McLaren]], and often opinionated nature, in his co-commentary role. The pair did not always get along in the commentary box. Typically, they had to share one microphone which meant passing it back and forth to each other. On one occasion early in their partnership, Walker would not hand the microphone over after repeated requests by Hunt for him to do so. In frustration, Hunt stood and grabbed the microphone from him, which caused the normally cool Walker to grab the former World Champion by the collar and raise his fist to hit his partner before a producer intervened.<ref>"Murray Walker: Life in the Fast Lane" (Television Production and video). BBC (London), Airdate 2011.</ref>

After Hunt died, former F1 driver and BBC pit lane reporter [[Jonathan Palmer]] joined Walker in the commentary box until the end of 1996, though in {{f1|1993}} individuals such as three-time world champion [[Jackie Stewart]] took the role as Walker's partner for the [[1993 British Grand Prix]] and {{f1|1980}} World Champion [[Alan Jones (racing driver)|Alan Jones]] commented alongside Walker in [[Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] at the end of the season following a request by ''[[Nine's Wide World of Sports]]''. The following year, the television rights of the UK television coverage transferred to ITV, and Walker followed. His co-commentator from the 1997 season until his retirement from commentating was another former F1 driver, [[Martin Brundle]].<ref name="walker" />

Jonathan Martin, the head of [[BBC Sport]], retained Walker's services for the corporation's coverage of the BTCC after the latter's rolling contract expired with them in May 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=Walker's pole position in the commentary box|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12320854.walkers-pole-position-in-the-commentary-box/|work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=16 August 1997|access-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319174815/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12320854.walkers-pole-position-in-the-commentary-box/|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> Walker opted not to renew his contract with the BBC in 1998 to focus on ITV's broadcasting on Formula One and he did not want to frequently commute to London to record commentary of the BTCC.<ref name="walker" /> There were a few Grands Prix between 1978 and 1996 that Walker did not commentate on while employed by the BBC, usually as a result of his commentating elsewhere.<ref name="walker" /> Some of these included the [[1979 Belgian Grand Prix]] and [[1988 Hungarian Grand Prix]] (when [[Simon Taylor (journalist)|Simon Taylor]] deputised for him), the German Grands Prix of [[1981 German Grand Prix|1981]] and [[1984 German Grand Prix|1984]] (both commentated on by Barrie Gill),<ref name="walker" /> and the [[1985 German Grand Prix]] ([[Tony Jardine]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/driver/6163.html|title=Tony Jardine: Great Britain|publisher=ESPN|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

In 1988, Walker appeared in two television advertisements opposite actor [[Eric Idle]], who played the part of a salesman attempting to persuade Walker and racing driver [[Nigel Mansell]] to purchase an [[Austin Metro]].<ref name="walker" /> In 1996, as part of [[Pizza Hut]]'s global advertising strategy using celebrities, he and [[Formula One]] driver [[Damon Hill]] advertised the chain's new stuffed-crust pizza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/news-damon-hill-makes-ad-debut-pizza-hut-film/15929|title=NEWS: Damon Hill makes ad debut in Pizza Hut film|website=Campaign|access-date=1 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225644/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/news-damon-hill-makes-ad-debut-pizza-hut-film/15929|archive-date=29 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Walker also wrote a series of annuals for the Grand Prix season, ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n2002-091527/|title=Walker, Murray 1923–|publisher=WorldCat|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417164613/http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n2002-091527/|archive-date=17 April 2016|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> He presented a six-part radio series called "Murray Walker's Grand Prix World" on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] from May to June 1997, detailing the history and development of Formula One.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=8 May 1997|title=Murray Walker's Grand Prix World: 1: Thoroughly Good Entertainment|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b0b0fbac6c8c4666bc6d0be2fca674c1|journal=[[Radio Times]]|issue=3823|page=117|via=[[BBC Genome Project]]|access-date=19 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319174817/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b0b0fbac6c8c4666bc6d0be2fca674c1|archive-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live}}<br>{{cite journal|title=Murray Walker's Grand Prix World|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d478716d1d6d4ddda8a081ac6612dc3e|journal=Radio Times|date=3 June 1997 |issue=3827|page=117|via=BBC Genome Project|access-date=19 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319174815/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d478716d1d6d4ddda8a081ac6612dc3e|archive-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Walker had a column in the ''[[GP Racing|F1 Racing]]'' monthly magazine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishop|first=Matt|authorlink=Matt Bishop|title=Murray Walker off mic: 'wonderful bombshells' from voice of F1|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/murray-walker-off-mic-wonderful-bombshells-from-voice-of-f1/|work=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|orig-date=10 October 2023|date=11 October 2023|access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>

He broke his hip at the 2000 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was replaced for the [[2000 French Grand Prix|French Grand Prix]] by pit lane reporter [[James Allen (journalist)|James Allen]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Hilton|first=Christopher|url=https://archive.org/details/murraywalkervery0000hilt|title=Murray Walker: The Very Last Word|publisher=Haynes Publishing|year=2002|isbn=978-1-85960-895-1|location=Sparkford, England|pages=98–99, 188, 194–196}}</ref> At the [[2000 German Grand Prix]], Walker erroneously said that Ferrari driver [[Rubens Barrichello]] had crashed when it actually was his teammate [[Michael Schumacher]].<ref name=MMagInterview>{{Cite journal|last=Taylor|first=Simon|date=April 2011|title=Lunch with... Murray Walker|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-2011/70/lunch-murray-walker|journal=Motor Sport|volume=87|issue=4|pages=70–78|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723193945/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-2011/70/lunch-murray-walker|archive-date=23 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> This led to criticism about his frequent errors in an article published by the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' on the following day,<ref name=AutosportInterview>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/premium/feature/5448/murray-walker-in-his-own-words/|title=Murray Walker in his own words|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|date=23 July 2013|website=Autosport|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> and it prompted Walker to speak to his bosses at [[ITV Sport]] about his future.<ref name=MMagInterview/> He told the broadcaster's head of sport [[Brian Barwick]] that he would retire. Barwick told Walker he did not believe that retirement was ideal and suggested to Walker he commentate for another season to wind down his career.<ref name=MMagInterview/><ref name=AutosportInterview/> Walker announced to the press his retirement from Formula One commentary in December 2000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leonard|first=Tom|title=Murray Walker quits while he's ahead|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1378014/Murray-Walker-quits-while-hes-still-ahead.html|work=The Telegraph|date=12 December 2000|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227141959/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1378014/Murray-Walker-quits-while-hes-still-ahead.html|archive-date=27 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He would commentate on 12 Grands Prix by skipping Brazil, Europe, France, Germany and Japan before continuing to work for ITV in a reduced role entering {{F1|2002}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=14 December 2000|title='Voice of Motorsport' to retire|url=https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2000/AS14.12.00.pdf|journal=Autosport|page=13|access-date=28 November 2020|archive-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209034248/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2000/AS14.12.00.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bernie Ecclestone]], the owner of Formula One's commercial rights, had suggested to Walker that he commentate on his world feed television coverage, which was declined.<ref name="MMagInterview" /> His final full-time Formula One television commentary was the [[2001 United States Grand Prix]] and he was awarded an original brick from "The Brickyard" by track president [[Tony George]].<ref name=":1" />

He was appointed an OBE in the [[1996 Birthday Honours]] for services to broadcasting and motor sports.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-queens-birthday-honours-1337095.html|title=The Queen's Birthday Honours|date=15 June 1996|work=The Independent|access-date=10 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425221009/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-queens-birthday-honours-1337095.html|archive-date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref name=Indy2008>{{Cite news|last=Merrill|first=Jamie|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/murray-walker-my-life-in-media-808603.html|title=Murray Walker: My Life in Media|date=14 April 2008|work=The Independent|access-date=11 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508152354/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/murray-walker-my-life-in-media-808603.html|archive-date=8 May 2017}}</ref> In November 1997, Walker was awarded an honorary [[Doctor of Letters]] degree from [[Bournemouth University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=An evening with Murray Walker|url=http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/newsandevents/Events/septoctnovdec06/evening_murray_walker.html|publisher=Bournemouth University|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705141458/http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/newsandevents/Events/septoctnovdec06/evening_murray_walker.html|archive-date=5 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He was later honoured, in July 2005, with an honorary doctorate from the [[Middlesex University]], London.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2005 |title=Honorary Graduates |url=http://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/hongrads.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051113130118/http://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/hongrads.htm |archive-date=13 November 2005 |access-date=23 December 2024 |publisher=[[Middlesex University]]}}</ref> He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in November 1997.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Sarah |date=11 November 1997 |title=Worthy lap of honour |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grimsby-evening-telegraph-worthy-lap-of/161407936/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |work=[[Grimsby Evening Telegraph]] |page=4 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Walker was named the winner of the [[Gregor Grant|Gregor Grant Award]] from the motor racing magazine ''[[Autosport]]'' in 1993.<ref name="walker" /> In 2000, he won the [[Royal Television Society]] Lifetime Achievement Award,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/award/television-sports-awards-2000|title=Television Sports Awards 2000|date=14 February 2011|publisher=[[Royal Television Society]]|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325205824/https://rts.org.uk/award/television-sports-awards-2000|url-status=live}}</ref> and was named the recipient of the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] Special Award for Contribution to Television in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2002/television/special|title=Television {{!}} Special Award in 2002|publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804134459/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2002/television/special|url-status=live}}</ref>

==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>

==Commentary style==
Walker chose to stand while commentating during races rather than sitting down, allowing him to speak louder due to his lungs being inflated and his shoulders pushed back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/murray-walker-i-wouldnt-be-here-if-social-media-existed-my-time|title=Murray Walker: I wouldn't be here if social media existed in my time|last=Willams-Smith|first=Jake|date=30 July 2019|website=Motor Sport|access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> He was uncritical of drivers who had made errors, preferring to let that judgement pass to his co-commentators.<ref name=DoodsononMurray>{{Cite journal|last=Doodson|first=Mike|date=10 October 2013|title=Murray: The Man Behind The Mic|journal=Autosport|volume=214|issue=2|pages=69–71}}</ref> Walker was articulate in his speech, and he was a good reader of mood after an on-track incident.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bradley|first1=Charles|last2=Freeman|first2=Glenn|last3=Straw|first3=Edd|date=10 October 2013|title=Talking About F1's Most Famous Talker|journal=Autosport|volume=214|issue=2|pages=63–67}}</ref> He sometimes made humorous verbal errors known as "Murrayisms" that ranged from "simple misidentifications" to "lovely, labyrinthian, effortlessly complex acrobatic displays of linguistic virtuosity."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2122496/murray-walker-retires-and-hes-leaving-f1-broadcasting-booth/|title=Murray Walker retires and he's leaving the F1 broadcasting booth|last=Bulgin|first=Rusel|date=3 October 2001|website=[[Autoweek]]|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325205832/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2122496/murray-walker-retires-and-hes-leaving-f1-broadcasting-booth/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Stephen Moss of ''[[The Guardian]]'', they were "the hallmark of his commentary over the years" and noted that they made him "the fan who happened to have been given the keys to the commentary box: he couldn't control his enthusiasm and that seemed naturally to lead to catastrophe."<ref name=Guardian2000/> Moss likened Walker's commentary voice to a "screech and resembles a 500cc engine being revved up" because he required "a harsh, aggressive, noisy, fast-moving voice" to comment on a constantly changing landscape.<ref name=Guardian2000/>

He prepared himself for every piece of commentary work by meticulously researching facts and statistics on every driver and race track,<ref name=Guardian2000/><ref name=BBCWalker90>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/24362288|title=Murray Walker at 90 on James Hunt and Ayrton Senna|last=Barretto|first=Lawrence|date=10 October 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207213639/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/24362288|archive-date=7 February 2016|access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> updating and rewriting them for the following event.<ref name=BBCWalker90/> George Tamayo described Walker as having an "encyclopedic" knowledge of Grand Prix racing, and one who held enough authority amongst the press that members of the Formula One community would rarely decline to be interviewed by him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/murray-walker-voice-of-f1-interview/1855709/|title=Murray Walker "Voice of F1" interview|last=Tamayo|first=George|date=16 January 2001|publisher=motorsport.com|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> Before the introduction of reliable satellite broadcast equipment, he was obliged by his superiors at the BBC to prepare for television broadcasts by venturing to a circuit two days before a race to prepare for a broadcast in London, where he would watch the day's events on a satellite feed and then commentate on it during the evening highlights programme.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=DoodsononMurray/> Walker was voted "the greatest sports commentator of all time" in a poll conducted by British sports fans in late 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/6699469/Formula-One-legend-Murray-Walker-voted-best-commentator-of-all-time.html|title=Formula One legend Murray Walker voted best commentator of all time|date=1 December 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319174827/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/6699469/Formula-One-legend-Murray-Walker-voted-best-commentator-of-all-time.html|archive-date=19 March 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Despite his love of cars, Walker never took a driving test. He was given a tank driving licence in the British Army and that was considered valid to qualify for a civilian driving licence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/motoring/ex-formula-one-commentator-murray-isn-t-a-walker-he-s-a-driver-1.443494|title = Ex-Formula One commentator Murray isn't a Walker - he's a driver|date = 23 September 2011}}</ref> He married his wife Elizabeth in 1955; the couple had no children.<ref name="walker" />

In December 1992, Walker had surgery but twisted his hip the day after surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq1ttfILtEU|title=James Hunt - Autosport Awards 1992|website=YouTube|date=8 March 2024 }}</ref>

In June 2013, aged 89, Walker was diagnosed with [[lymphoma]] and received [[chemotherapy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10199598/Murray-Walker-expects-to-survive-blood-cancer-and-six-months-of-intensive-chemotherapy.html|title=Murray Walker expects to survive blood cancer and six months of intensive chemotherapy|website=The Telegraph|date=24 July 2013 }}</ref> Walker died on 13 March 2021, aged 97.<ref name=bbc /><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 March 2021|title=Murray Walker, 'The voice of Formula 1', dies at the age of 97 · RaceFans|url=https://www.racefans.net/2021/03/13/murray-walker-the-voice-of-formula-1-dies-at-the-age-of-97/|access-date=15 March 2021|website=RaceFans|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/motor-sport/legendary-formula-one-commentator-murray-walker-dies-aged-97-40192343.html|title=Legendary Formula One commentator Murray Walker dies, aged 97|date=13 March 2021|website=independent.ie}}</ref> He was memorialised by the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] team at the [[2021 Bahrain Grand Prix]], where a sticker on the car's halo featured a quote from Walker's commentary, "And I've got to stop, because I've got a lump in my throat", on the [[1996 Japanese Grand Prix]], when [[Damon Hill]] secured the Drivers' Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-26 |title=Williams Are Running A Murray Walker Tribute On The Car's Halo |url=https://wtf1.com/post/williams-are-running-a-murray-walker-tribute-on-the-cars-halo/ |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=WTF1 |language=en-US}}</ref> Walker did not have a funeral or memorial service as per the instructions he made in his will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=James |author-link=James Allen (journalist) |date=9 January 2025 |title=End of an era: Murray Walker's final TV commentary |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/end-of-an-era-murray-walkers-final-commentary/10686887/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=Autosport}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The Murray Walker Award was established by [[Motorsport UK]] in 2023 and is awarded in recognition of "outstanding excellence in broadcast journalism."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mee|first=Lydia|title=F1 News: Martin Brundle First To Receive Emotional Murray Walker Award|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/f1-news-martin-brundle-first-to-receive-emotional-murray-walker-award-lm22|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=31 January 2023|access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
===Autobiography===
*''Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken'' (2002) {{ISBN|9780007126965}}
*''Murray Walker's Formula One Heroes'' (with [[Simon Taylor (journalist)|Simon Taylor]], Virgin Books, 2011) {{ISBN|9780753539026}}

===References===
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1987'' (First Formula Publishing, 1987) {{ISBN|9781870066044}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1988'' (First Formula Publishing, 1988) {{ISBN|9781870066099}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1989'' (Hazleton, 1989) {{ISBN|9781870066228}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1990'' (Hazleton, 1990) {{ISBN|9780905138824}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1991'' (Hazleton, 1991) {{ISBN|9780905138909}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1992'' (Hazleton, 1992) {{ISBN|9780905138992}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1993'' (Hazleton, 1993) {{ISBN|9781874557302}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1994'' (Hazleton, 1994) {{ISBN|9781874557012}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1995'' (Hazleton, 1995) {{ISBN|9781874557562}}
* ''Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year 1996'' (Hazleton, 1996) {{ISBN|9781874557173}}

==See also==
* [[Colemanballs]]

==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
*{{IMDb name|id=1700908|name=Murray Walker}}
*[https://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_W01.html#Walker_GM British Army Officers 1939–1945]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker Murray's F1 Video Blog]
*[http://www.parliamentspeakers.com Murray Walker Agent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322233705/http://www.parliamentspeakers.com/ |date=22 March 2021 }}
*[http://www.systems.caltech.edu/~rao/murray.html Murray Walker quotes]
*{{Screenonline name|id=1283605|name=Murray Walker}}
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/13631434.stm Murray Walker: Life in the fast lane]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Murray}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
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