talkSPORT presenter Sam Matterface revealed that his father passed away on Friday evening. He returned to work on Monday and honoured his father, insisting “he would’ve done the same” while noting that “radio is a constant companion.” Matterface spent under two minutes addressing the devastating news before redirecting the focus to professional matters, launching discussions on Liverpool and Arsenal following the weekend’s fixtures.
Before doing so, he stated he wished to be “open and honest” as he announced the passing of his father, who was affectionately known as “Little Pete” by colleague Alan Brazil. Matterface described his dad’s death as “rather shocking circumstances” before explaining how his father introduced him to radio, having worked as a painter and decorator during Matterface’s childhood. He continued by highlighting how his father took immense pride in his career.
He said: “Radio was his friend, I hope it’s your friend and it’s thanks to him that its always be my friend. I hope today its my brother’s friend, my sister’s friend and his friends’ friend and his wife’s friend too, because its important. Right let’s crack on..”
talkSPORT recruited Sam Matterface from Sky Sports News to serve as its chief commentator for the new football season over 15 years ago.
Matterface joined Sky Sports News in 2007 and had previously worked at Capital Gold, as a reporter at TalkSport, and on Portsmouth station 107.4 The Quay, where he also hosted the breakfast programme.
“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 bare 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.”
