Sky Sports rugby league commentator Bill Arthur dies aged 68

Sky Sports rugby league commentator Bill Arthur has died at the age of 68 after a long battle with prostate cancer.

He died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by his family and inspired many with his courageous battle against the disease which he was diagnosed with in 2011.

Arthur began is journalism career in newspapers in South Yorkshire, working for the Barnsley Star and Sheffield Star before moving into radio, working for Metro Radio in Newcastle and Radio City in Liverpool.

He then moved into breakfast television with TVAM and worked for Champion TV as the North West reporter.

From 1990, he worked on The Sports Channel which then went on to become Sky Sports the following year.

He became a regular pitchside reporter for live matches and feature reporter for the magazine programme Boots ‘N’ All.

Bill also done commentary work and became Sky’s lead rugby league commentator following Eddie Hemmings’ retirement in April 2019.

“We are truly saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Bill Arthur,” said Jonathan Licht, Managing Director of Sky Sports.

“Bill has been a mainstay of Sky Sports’ rugby league coverage for the last 30 years. I want to express my personal gratitude to Bill for his unwavering commitment to Sky, as well as the passion and devotion he brought to our viewers and fans of the sport.

“I know that Bill will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to work with him, and I would like to extend my condolences to Bill’s wife, Cherry, and his family for their loss.”

He is survived by his wife Cherry and children, Simon, Meredith, Kit and Nancy.