Harry Carpenter RIP

[Kev Mulrenan]

Great memories of Harry from the 70's! RIP

Voice Of Boxing Harry Carpenter Dies Aged 84
Jo Couzens, Sky News Online

Boxing commentator Harry Carpenter has died, a spokesman for his family has
said.
The 84-year-old former TV sports presenter died at King's College Hospital, London, on Saturday.

His lawyer David Wills said: "He had been unwell since last summer when he had a minor heart attack.

"The funeral has not been arranged but will be a family funeral, to be followed by a memorial service in London."

Carpenter leaves a widow and one son.

He became closely identified with Frank Bruno, whose catchphrase "Know what I mean, 'arry?" featured in their post-fight interviews.

A "shocked and upset" Bruno was told of his old friend's death by his agent Dave Davies.

"I have just broken the news to him," Mr Davies told Sky News Online, "He was clearly shocked and upset.

"He couldn't believe me at first.

"Harry was very much part of Frank's early boxing career. They became very good friends and a double act for a number of years."

[Deleted]

That's sad news. Always the voice behind so many sporting events. Even though i'm not a sports fan myself, I grew up with his commentaries and they are the soundtrack to my childhood. One of the old school of TV professionals.

R.I.P. Harry.

[Alex Trelinski]

What a great all-round sports broadcaster Harry was. Stacks of memories for me stretching back to the sixties. There was a lovely tribute from Barry McGuigan on the BBC News Channel this afternoon, with Barry enthusing about Harry's versatility in presenting many sports.
It was also interesting to see a couple of clips seeing Harry fronting Grandstand which I had not seen before, along with the famous one where he had nothing to go to after an athletics VT had not fired in properly, and remarking wonderfully with an impish grin that there was "plenty of activity going on in the gallery!" One of those rare and gifted broadcasters that we all liked and trusted. R.I.P. Harry.

[adriane17]

Another great gone. If I'm not mistaken he was commentating when Henry Cooper floored Cassius Clay (as Muhammad Ali was in those days) although Cooper went on to lose.

[Deleted]

Funnily enough my fondest memory of Harry was on a broadcast when he was absent! The BBC usually covered the Bruno fights but there was one fight which ITV got to cover therefore meaning no Harry which rather spoilt it since one was so used to his comforting tones. It was a magic moment when immediately after the fight, the ITV commentator went up to Bruno to interview him. First thing Bruno said? "Where's 'Arry?" lol... the hapless ITV guy had to explain it was "the other side" covering this match and I'm sure Frank kept mentioning Harry which I'm sure would had embarrassed ITV. When I returned to school, "Where's 'Arry?" had become a new catchphrase.

That for me says it all about Harry Carpenter's skills and appeal. He and Frank were a great double act and he'll always be remembered fondly by me for that.