Murray Walker

In 2011, a documentary was premiered on BBC 2 with the title ‘Life in the Fast lane’. It was based on his life, showing Walker’s contribution in changing the shape of the Formula One races. It showed all the aspects of his life.

In 2013, Walker fell and broke his pelvis. It was the same time when he was diagnosed with lymphatic system cancer. He was 89 at the time and the doctors reassured that he will be alright. He underwent chemotherapy.

Murray Walker was born in Hall Green, Birmingham, England, to Graham Walker. His father was a sales competition director at the Rudge-Whitworth Motorcycle Company and was a motorcyclist for Norton Motorcycle Company.

Walker went to the Highgate School and attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst during the time of World War II. Later he participated in the Battle of the Reichswald but left the army after getting the rank of captain.

After leaving the army, he worked for Dunlop and Aspro in advertising and then joined the Masius ad agency. He kept working with the company even after he had a successful career as a commentator.

In 1949, Walker got his first big commentating fixture for the British Grand Prix, Silverstone for the BBC Radio. He did it along with Max Robertson. Before this, he did a little stint at the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb.

After this, Murray started doing Formula 1 commentary full-time for the rest of 1970s for BBC. He used to do the commentary with his father and it was only after his death in 1962 that he got his position of chief motorcycling commentator.

From 1980-1993, during his Formula 1 coverage, Murray collaborated with the World Champion James Hunt. Initially they were not able to hit it off on screen but soon the pair became hit and worked for almost 10 years for BBC together.

From 1987-1997, Murray wrote annuals for the Grand Prix season for Hazelton Publishing under the title of ‘Murray Walker’s Grand Prix Year’. These books are very famous amongst the Formula 1 enthusiasts, for his expert writing and analysis.

From 1993-1996, ex-Formula 1 driver Jonathan Palmer collaborated with Walker in the commentary box and the pair worked together for almost 3 years. From time to time other people like Alan Jones too joined him.

Due to his ongoing cancer treatment, Walker cancelled his plans to attend the British Grand Prix, Silverstone.

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters Degree from Bournemouth University and was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Middlesex University, London.

His famous co-commentator and friend James Hunt died of a sudden heart attack in 1993.