Latest news with #Tommo
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'It's just a joke': Ailing Tommo slams tennis schedule
Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule. The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together. The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks. He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer. "It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season." Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money. "And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies. "Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup. "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again. "I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie." Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish. "I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas. "Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday." The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past. "I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson. "A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish? "I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion." Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule. The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together. The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks. He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer. "It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season." Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money. "And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies. "Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup. "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again. "I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie." Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish. "I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas. "Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday." The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past. "I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson. "A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish? "I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion." Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule. The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together. The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks. He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer. "It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season." Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money. "And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies. "Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup. "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again. "I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie." Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish. "I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas. "Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday." The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past. "I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson. "A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish? "I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion." Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule. The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together. The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks. He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer. "It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season." Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money. "And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies. "Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup. "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again. "I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie." Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish. "I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas. "Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday." The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past. "I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson. "A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish? "I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion."
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
'It's just a joke': Ailing Tommo slams tennis schedule
Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule. The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together. The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks. He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer. "It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season." Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money. "And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies. "Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup. "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again. "I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie." Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish. "I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas. "Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday." The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past. "I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson. "A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish? "I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion."
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'It's just a joke': Ailing Tommo slams tennis schedule
Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule. The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together. The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks. He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer. "It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season." Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money. "And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies. "Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup. "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again. "I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie." Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish. "I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas. "Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday." The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past. "I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson. "A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish? "I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion."
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Six jailed for drugs supply offences in Rhyl and Kinmel Bay
At Caernarfon Crown Court today (May 22), seven defendants were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: An eighth defendant – James Higham, 39, of Prestatyn – was jailed for eight months on March 31 for conspiring to supply cannabis. All of the defendants had pleaded guilty to their respective offences. Police in Kinmel Bay on October 8 (Image: Submitted) Prosecutor Myles Wilson said a phone number known as the 'Tommo line' sent out more than 10,000 bulk messages to up to 247 potential customers between September 2023 and October 2024, regarding the sale of cocaine, heroin and cannabis. Alex Coxon was in control of this number. The number had to be changed midway through the conspiracy, as the phone was seized from another man, Macauley Wood, who was jailed for 27 months in August 2024 for being concerned in heroin and cocaine supply. Alex Coxon (Image: North Wales Police) Coxon played a 'leading role' in the conspiracy; organising, buying, and selling the drugs on a 'commercial sale', with an expectation of 'substantial financial advantage'. Police recovered texts from him agreeing to sell David Jones 'flake' and a kilogram of cannabis. When police searched his house in late 2024, they found large amounts of cash, a machete and a baton. Meanwhile, hidden in his neighbour's garden (unbeknown to the neighbour), officers recovered 736g of cocaine (worth £22-34,000) and 229g of heroin (worth £6-12,000). His 17 previous convictions included for drug supply, when he was aged 17. Representing him, Simon Rogers stressed that he is remorseful and 'still only 27', and that upon release from prison, he 'hopes to put his offending behind him and make a fresh start'. Judge Nicola Jones told him: 'It's clear you had an expectation of a substantial financial advantage.' Jamie Lawrence (Image: North Wales Police) Lawrence, a father of two, had 'lots of contact' with the Tommo line – during a four-month period, he made 3,567 contacts with the number. When police searched his home, they found 'snap bags' and scales. A heavy cocaine user with 11 previous convictions for 20 offences, including for cocaine possession, Lawrence had been directed to deliver drugs and collect cash. Representing him, Elen Owen said he had a 'lesser role' in the conspiracy – he took instructions from one person, would collect and deliver drug packages on their behalf, and receive cash for doing this. She said his 'spiralling drug misuse' coincided with him becoming involved in this conspiracy, having been supplying to fund his own habit and with the promise that his 'debts would be cleared'. Judge Jones told him: 'You must have had an awareness of the scale of the operation, due to the number of contacts over the Tommo line.' Coxen ran a business involving the buying and selling of cars, and used this business to launder money from this drug enterprise. He transferred money made from selling drugs to the bank account of Alex Coxon; and bought cars with cash that came from drug-dealing. The total he laundered was £11,695 – made up of about £6,000 in transfers to Alex Coxon's bank account, and roughly £5,000 that he spent on vehicles using. Coxon, Mr Wilson said, also 'stepped up' his role in the conspiracy after Alex Coxon had been arrested and remanded on a separate matter. He had eight previous convictions for 10 offences, including for drug supply. Representing him, Gareth Bellis said Coxen, a grandfather, suffers from numerous health conditions. Mr Bellis said he feels 'remorse' for his involvement, and the fact that it is 16 years since his last conviction suggests he can live a 'normal, crime-free life'. Judge Jones told him: 'This was sophisticated (offending), with two different bank accounts and misleading references for deposits.' She ordered him to complete 20 days' rehabilitation activity as part of his suspended sentence. McCorley Chamberlain (Image: North Wales Police) Chamberlain, like Lawrence, was 'assisting on the ground' with the conspiracy. There were nearly 2,000 contacts between him and the Tommo line, while he sent messages to others offering to supply cocaine. Other messages between him and Alex Coxon suggested he was paying him £50 on a weekly basis. Chamberlain, who had three previous convictions for five offences, was also involved in this conspiracy while being investigated in relation to another case. On September 1, 2022, 5.5g of cocaine was found at his Denbigh home, while his phone was subsequently found to have multiple messages on it from the previous three weeks advertising the sale of the drug. Representing him, Maria Masellis said Chamberlain, a father, was 'at a low point in his life' when he became involved in the conspiracy. Ms Masellis said Chamberlain was first exposed to drugs as a small child, and was 'directed' and used as a 'runner' in this operation. He had joined the Army, but discharged himself after his partner fell ill - they later separated, and he then began using drugs 'considerably'. Judge Jones told him: 'This was a significant role on your part. You were aware of the scale of the operation.' Drugs and other items seized by police (Image: North Wales Police) Harrop was effectively Alex Coxon's 'assistant' for a period of time, having had 'very regular' phone contact with him, and often visiting his home, or driving or being driven by him in Rhyl. Mr Wilson said he 'stepped into Macauley Wood's shoes' after Wood's arrest, but that he and Coxon fell out after Harrop was not paying Coxon what he owed him. Representing him, Philip Clemo said Harrop, a father, had an 'exceptionally difficult start' in life, and has been 'blighted by addiction'. But Mr Clemo said Harrop's time in custody on remand has 'done him the world of good', given it has caused him to abstain from alcohol and drugs. Judge Jones told him: 'You were dealing a drug to which you were addicted. It's clear you've taken considerable steps to rehabilitate yourself.' She ordered him to complete a 26-session accredited programme, 20 days' rehabilitation activity, 120 days' alcohol abstinence, and six months' drug rehabilitation. Cameron Moule (Image: North Wales Police) Moule met Alex Coxon on numerous occasions, and had frequent phone contact with him, William Coxen and other co-defendants. He also bought a replacement SIM card for the Tommo line phone number after Macauley Wood's arrest. When police searched Moule's shed in July 2024, they found 55g of cocaine worth £2-3,000, 28g of heroin worth £900-£1,600, scales with traces of crack cocaine and heroin, and a knuckle duster. Moule, who had two previous convictions for three offences, had sent a voice note two days prior to this search, in which he suggested that, if police found what was in his garden, he'd 'get eight years'. Representing him, Andrew Jebb said Moule has obtained a waste management job while in prison on remand, and hopes to return to work as a refuse collector, which he enjoyed, upon his release. Mr Jebb stressed how 'disappointed he is with himself', while a letter from his mother read that she is 'simply at a loss to understand why he got involved in this'. Judge Jones told him: 'I'm satisfied you played a significant role. You had awareness of the scale of the operation.' David Jones (Image: North Wales Police) Jones, at one stage, owed Alex Coxon more than £6,000. He also had his own 'graft phone', from which he was sending out his own 'flare messages' advertising the sale of cocaine and heroin. When his house was searched in July 2024, police found cocaine worth between £190 and £330, while his DNA was recovered on wraps of cocaine and cannabis seized at Cameron Moule's home. Messages between Jones and Moule showed that he was supplying Moule with drugs. Representing Jones, Simon Killeen said he had not made 'substantial' financial gain from his involvement. While Jones has one previous conviction for four offences, Mr Killeen said this was not 'relevant' to these matters, adding that he has never previously been to prison. He had been running a legitimate business and providing for his family prior to the collapse of his enterprise because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Jones told him: 'You played a leading role in this conspiracy. There must have been an expectation of significant financial advantage.' James Higham (Image: North Wales Police) Higham, who was sentenced prior to his seven co-defendants, was a cannabis dealer himself, and a customer of David Jones. Messages from Jones to Higham read: 'Bro, I said to you last night, a lad had the lot as it's decent… he had 150 of it yesterday… I'm not gonna pressure him over two ounces when he does over a box a week for me… we don't f*** around.' At one stage, Higham owed Jones more than £1,400 for cannabis, which he was then supplying on. A proceeds of crime hearing will take place to recover some of the money the defendants made from their criminality. Police in Kinmel Bay on October 8 (Image: Submitted) Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Chris Wynne, from North Wales Police's Central Priority Crime Team said: 'I would like to express my thanks to the community for their support during our investigation. 'We are committed to making North Wales a hostile environment for those who engage in organised criminality. 'We are determined to bring people who bring misery to the towns and villages of North Wales to justice.' Chief Superintendent Owain Llewellyn added: 'This sentence reflects the excellent work carried out by our local policing team. 'Throughout the investigation we have been well supported by the community, who had grown tired of seeing these individuals flaunting criminally obtained wealth and creating fear on the streets of Rhyl and wider areas. 'We are committed to our fight against organised criminality across North Wales and will respond robustly to community intelligence.'
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Oldest commentator in the world' – BBC, Channel 4 and Sky racing legend confirms exit after 66-1 winner with his wife
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RACING legend Derek 'Tommo' Thompson has confirmed the date of his final ever shift - after landing a 66-1 winner with his wife. The man famed forever for the side-splitting 'It's a man actually, Derek' clip will put down his mic for the final time at Wolverhampton on July 22. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Racing legend Derek Thompson's final ever commentary will come at Wolverhampton on July 22 Credit: PA:Press Association Images Tommo, whose many fans will no doubt miss his 'Photo! Photo!' calls, began commentating at the age of 15. Now, after making history as the youngest caller of the Grand National in 1973, he believes the time is right to walk away aged 74. He reckons he is the oldest sports commentator in the world. The Guinness World Records might have something to say about that, as they last year listed 86-year-old Turkish caller Orhan Ayhan as the oldest. Either way, it's been a hell of a stint for fan favourite Tommo. A natural behind the mic with a flair for the dramatic, Thompson tried his hand as a jockey and memorably denied King Charles his only win as a jockey - in a charity Flat race at Plumpton in 1980. But he was to find his true calling in the booth rather than on horseback. He made his debut on the mic as a fresh-faced teen calling point-to-point meetings. The king of the one liners was quickly snapped up by the BBC, where he was part of their National coverage, before going to ITV and then Channel 4. There, he was a popular figure in their formidable line-up featuring the likes of the late John McCririck and Alastair Down - a period punters often refer to as the golden age of racing. In later years he became known to many as the archetypal Alan Partridge figure, thanks in part to toe-curling lines in promotional videos, including the infamous: "Are you well? I thought you were!" Fortunately, Tommo won't be turning his back on racing altogether. The commentary icon, who announced his retirement at the end of last year, will keep a hand in the game with some horses. And among them is 66-1 Redcar winner Cheerleader, the first to carry his colours in around 40 years. The three-year-old filly Tommo owns with wife Caroline flew home in a 5f contest under Joanna Mason. She hadn't got up to much under former trainer Karl Burke but showed bundles of improvement for Tina Jackson. A beaming Tommo couldn't stand still after the win and said: "Tina, who is my brother's partner, she is one of the hottest trainers in the UK at the moment. "It's my wife Caroline, she'll be watching this, she bought the horse, gave it six months off, gave it to Tina, gently brought her along… there will be tears streaming down her face. "Well done, darling." Well done, indeed - and to you, Tommo, for an unforgettable career in racing. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
