Dickie Davies - Legendary Broadcaster - A3, A2, A1 & A0 Icon Prints
Another of our quirky retro series... the face of many Saturday afternoon's of my childhood - Dickie Davies.
Ideal for framing.
Limited Edition of 250 A3 and just 20 of larger sizes.
A3 prints shipped in cardboard backed envelope. A2, A1 and A0 in rigid tubes.
Dickie Davies was a British television sports presenter, best known for anchoring ITV's "World of Sport" from 1968 until its end in 1985. Here's a brief overview based on the information available:
- **Early Life and Career Beginnings**: Born Richard John Davies on April 30, 1928, in Wallasey, Cheshire, England, he later adopted the name Dickie at the suggestion of his ITV Sport colleague Jimmy Hill. His career started with Southern Television as an announcer.
- **World of Sport**: Davies took over as the main host of "World of Sport" in 1968, following Eamonn Andrews. This show became a staple of Saturday afternoons, featuring a range of sports, from mainstream to more obscure, which hadn't been commonly televised before. His tenure on this show made him a household name, recognized for his catchphrases, distinctive mustache, and a white streak in his hair.
- **Later Career**: After "World of Sport" concluded, Davies remained with ITV, presenting other sports events like boxing, darts, and snooker, including coverage of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He later moved to Eurosport when it was owned by Sky and the European Broadcasting Union. In the late '90s, he hosted "Dickie Davies' Sporting Heroes" on Sky Sports.
- **Personal Life and Legacy**: Davies married Liz Hastings, a vision mixer at Southern Television, in 1962, with whom he had twin sons. His contributions to sports broadcasting were widely recognized, with tributes from figures across the sports media landscape following his death on February 19, 2023, at the age of 94. He was remembered not just for his broadcasting style but also for his warmth and approachability off-screen.
- **Cultural Impact**: Davies's influence extended beyond sports; he appeared in various cultural references, including songs like "Dickie Davies Eyes" by Half Man Half Biscuit, and made cameo appearances in TV shows like "Budgie". His career and personality made him a significant figure in British television history, symbolizing a bygone era of sports broadcasting.
