ENGLAND and football commentator Sam Matterface issued an emotional statement live on air after his dad died suddenly on Friday.
The sports radio and TV presenter was back into work on Monday despite the shock tragedy.
He started talkSPORT‘s bank holiday show admitting to the pain and struggles of the weekend.
Matterface, 47, said: “I’m going to be honest and open with you right off the bat, I’m not in a particularly good place this morning and I’m going to share with you why.
“It’s been a particularly tough weekend for me and my family because we lost my father on Friday night in sudden and rather shocking circumstances.
“So you’re going to have to bear with me a little today and indulge me a little me for a minute.
“Little Pete – as Alan Brazil affectionately nicknamed him on the Breakfast Show – loved Alan, loved talkSPORT, and loved radio.
“I’m sure people will be asking why I came into work today and you might be wondering too.
“But the truth is, one, he would have done the same, and the other reason is that it is important.
“I’m sure many of you have been in situations like this too and when you’re working and when you’re driving , you’re sometimes happy, sometimes grieving, sometimes lost.
“I find, and I’m sure you do too, that radio is a constant companion.
“He introduced me to radio, my dad, and as a painter and decorator it went with him everywhere that he went.
“He loved the fact I was on talkSPORT, his favourite radio station.
“Radio was his friend, I hope it’s your friend.
“And it’s thanks to him that it has always been my friend.
“And I hope today that it is my brother’s friend, my sister’s friend and his wife’s friends too. Because it’s important.
“Right let’s crack on.”
Matterface is regularly heard commentating on England for ITV and the radio.
He didn’t let the death of his father stop him from dissecting a busy FA Cup schedule, diving straight into analysis of defeats for Arsenal and Liverpool.
Former Sky, BBC Radio Kent, and Capital Gold Sport employee Matterface received support from listeners online.
One wrote on X: “Sincere condolences to Sam Matterface. Very brave of him to turn up to work.”
It comes just weeks after fellow talkSPORT favourite Danny Kelly opened up on his cancer diagnosis in public.
