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| Voice of rugby Bill McLaren dies | Voice of rugby Bill McLaren dies |
| (20 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 was appointed 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. |
| He died at 1030 GMT in the community hospital in Hawick in the Scottish Borders. | He died at 1030 GMT in the community hospital in Hawick in the Scottish Borders. |
| Obituary: Bill McLaren href="/2/hi/talking_point/8468976.stm">Bill McLaren: Your memories class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8468572.stm">In Pictures: Bill McLaren Tributes to Bill McLaren John Beattie's blog Your memories | |
| Former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings, who worked with him, said: "First and foremost, Bill was a very proud and passionate Scot but such was his professionalism that you would never really have known that. | Former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings, who worked with him, said: "First and foremost, Bill was a very proud and passionate Scot but such was his professionalism that you would never really have known that. |
| "He always remained very unbiased in his commentary and I think that that was unquestionably one of his endearing qualities. | "He always remained very unbiased in his commentary and I think that that was unquestionably one of his endearing qualities. |
| "He was a wonderful commentator and he just brought the world of rugby into so many people's homes." | "He was a wonderful commentator and he just brought the world of rugby into so many people's homes." |
| Former England captain Bill Beaumont also recognised the importance of McLaren's contribution to the sport. | Former England captain Bill Beaumont also recognised the importance of McLaren's contribution to the sport. |
| "Bill McLaren is synonymous with what is good about the game," he said. | "Bill McLaren is synonymous with what is good about the game," he said. |
| "Every player respected Bill, they respected his judgement. | "Every player respected Bill, they respected his judgement. |
| "To sit alongside him you just admired the professionalism and homework that he put into his commentaries and also his passion for the game." | "To sit alongside him you just admired the professionalism and homework that he put into his commentaries and also his passion for the game." |
| Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The world of sport and broadcasting has lost a true legend with the passing of Bill McLaren. | Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The world of sport and broadcasting has lost a true legend with the passing of Bill McLaren. |
| "He thoroughly deserved the title "voice of rugby" and was a fantastic ambassador for Scotland and his native Hawick right around the world." | "He thoroughly deserved the title "voice of rugby" and was a fantastic ambassador for Scotland and his native Hawick right around the world." |
| BBC Scotland Director Ken MacQuarrie described McLaren as one of the "true broadcasting greats". | BBC Scotland Director Ken MacQuarrie described McLaren as one of the "true broadcasting greats". |
| 'Loyal friend' | 'Loyal friend' |
| He said: "A tremendously modest man, Bill was the ultimate professional who always went out of his way to help the many colleagues who worked alongside him over the years. | He said: "A tremendously modest man, Bill was the ultimate professional who always went out of his way to help the many colleagues who worked alongside him over the years. |
| "He also worked tirelessly to support youngsters keen to learn more about the game he loved, especially in his home town. | "He also worked tirelessly to support youngsters keen to learn more about the game he loved, especially in his home town. |
| McLaren's greatest commentaries | McLaren's greatest commentaries |
| "To those who knew him closest though, Bill was known as a wonderfully loyal friend and a devoted family man and our thoughts are with them at this time." | "To those who knew him closest though, Bill was known as a wonderfully loyal friend and a devoted family man and our thoughts are with them at this time." |
| Hawick Rugby Club secretary John Thorburn also joined the tributes to their former player and loyal supporter. | Hawick Rugby Club secretary John Thorburn also joined the tributes to their former player and loyal supporter. |
| He said: "We're devastated, obviously - we've got a room named after him at the rugby club. | He said: "We're devastated, obviously - we've got a room named after him at the rugby club. |
| "It was very close to his heart, Hawick Rugby Club. | "It was very close to his heart, Hawick Rugby Club. |
| "He's a huge loss to rugby worldwide." | "He's a huge loss to rugby worldwide." |
| Bill McLaren: your memories | Bill McLaren: your memories |