Fleet Lit Up

Over the years, a few broadcasters I know have presented a show whilst being a little hung over. Sad, but true. It would be wrong to suggest that some of those presenters may have ironically despatched their best shows in that state. But you must never overdo it, of course.

Witness Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Woodrooffe. After a sparkling career in the Royal Navy, he knocked on the BBC’s door and his delicious, plummy tones were just what they demanded of a commentator. He got all the decent gigs back then, including the 1936 Summer Olympics commentary.

In 1937, he was on the rota to cover the Spithead Review. Not surprising really, it featured his old ship the battleship HMS Nelson. His job was to to describe the scene as King George VI inspected the Navy. Just prior, however, he bumped into a few old colleagues; and a few drinks ensued. As they do.

Listen here to a broadcast from a man clearly a little happy, yet still able to summon words like ‘acumen’. As the moment he suggests the ship ‘has gone’, it was pointed out later that it had actually not moved - he just couldn't see it when lying on his back.

Clearly BBC HR were sympathetic to his issues. He was rightly suspended, albeit just for a week. The following year, he was trusted to be the main commentator at the FA Cup Final between Preston North End and Huddersfield Town, the first to be televised. Mind you, he did say: "If there's a goal scored now, I'll eat my hat." Seconds later, there was.