NUJ - Sports commentator David Oates dies

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Obituaries

Monday, February 4 2013 Print | Send

Sports commentator David Oates dies

David Oates. who has died aged 50 after a short illness, had worked primarily as a BBC sports journalist covering football and rugby league for 25 years before becoming a freelance radio journalist two years ago.

A devoted Blackpool fan, his death has shocked colleagues and friends across the sporting community. “Everyone at BBC Radio Sport is in shock at this terrible news,” said Richard Burgess, head of radio sport at the BBC. “David was a trusted and much-loved colleague who provided many years of loyal service to the BBC.

"His enthusiasm for commentating and reporting on football and rugby league was boundless - we will all remember with great affection his love of Blackpool FC in particular. To lose him at such a relatively young age is a tragedy.”

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