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Voice of rugby Bill McLaren dies Voice of rugby Bill McLaren dies
(30 minutes later)
Commentator Bill McLaren, known popularly as the "voice of rugby", has died at the age of 86.Commentator Bill McLaren, known popularly as the "voice of rugby", has died at the age of 86.
Mr McLaren, from Hawick, retired in 2002 and received an OBE, CBE and MBE for services to the sport. Mr McLaren, from Hawick, retired in 2002 and was appointed OBE, CBE and MBE for services to the sport.
He began commentating on BBC radio in 1953 and moved on to television six years later.He began commentating on BBC radio in 1953 and moved on to television six years later.
He went on to earn the respect of players, fans, and spectators by being the best-researched commentator rugby had ever seen.He went on to earn the respect of players, fans, and spectators by being the best-researched commentator rugby had ever seen.
Mr McLaren died at 1030 GMT in the community hospital in his hometown of Hawick in the Scottish Borders. Mr McLaren died at 1030 GMT in the community hospital in Hawick in the Scottish Borders.
He was born in the town in 1923, and grew up to be a talented rugby player.He was born in the town in 1923, and grew up to be a talented rugby player.
He made the Hawick first XV before the war and played in a Scotland trial in 1947. He made the Hawick first XV before World War II and played in a Scotland trial in 1947.
He was on the verge of a full international cap when he contracted tuberculosis which nearly killed him.He was on the verge of a full international cap when he contracted tuberculosis which nearly killed him.
While convalescing he made his first broadcast on hospital radio describing table tennis matches.While convalescing he made his first broadcast on hospital radio describing table tennis matches.
Worldwide reputationWorldwide reputation
He studied Physical Education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach PE right through to 1987, coaching several players who went on to play for Scotland - Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. He studied physical education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach PE right through to 1987, coaching several players who went on to play for Scotland - Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger.
It was through his junior reporting with the Hawick Express that he launched himself into a career of commentary, making his national debut for BBC radio in 1953.It was through his junior reporting with the Hawick Express that he launched himself into a career of commentary, making his national debut for BBC radio in 1953.
He moved to television six years later where he established a worldwide reputation.He moved to television six years later where he established a worldwide reputation.
He received many honours for his services to the sport including becoming the first non-international to be inducted to the International Rugby Hall of Fame.He received many honours for his services to the sport including becoming the first non-international to be inducted to the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
McLaren was also the subject of an internet campaign last year calling for him to be knighted. Mr McLaren was also the subject of an internet campaign last year calling for him to be knighted.