Vale: Mike Gibson

Veteran broadcaster Mike “Gibbo” Gibson, best known for his years with Nine, TEN and FOX Sports, has died, aged 75.

Gibson, who started in print journalism as a newspaper and magazine writer, became known nationally when he was chosen to co-anchor Channel Nine’s new Wide World of Sports program with Ian Chappell in 1981.

He was a presenter on the show – as well as Sports Sunday – until 1988, before leaving for TEN where he presented Olympics coverage in Seoul.

He later moved to FOX Sports, where he presented 720 episodes of the sports show the Back Page from 1997 to 2012.

“I’ve only ever missed one show and it was because of a crook back. I couldn’t straighten up and would have had to host the show from the floor,” he once said.

Colleagues have begun to extend their sympathies.

Ken Sutcliffe said, “We are all saddened by his passing. He was a pioneer in TV sport and he did it with his inimitable and special style.”

Nine’s Head of Sport, Steve Crawley said: “As a story-teller, Mike Gibson had no peer. The people he wrote about you felt you suddenly knew and he had this knack of making you feel part of his stories. Gibbo is a legend of Australian sport.”

NEC CEO David Gyngell said today: I want to extend the sympathy of everyone at the Nine Network to the family of Mike Gibson who passed away suddenly today.  Mike was a proud, passionate member of our sports team when it all began back in the 1980s. In  a real sense, he revolutionised the role of the sports anchor. Mike was everyman  The bloke next door who was so readily welcomed into people’s loungerooms.

“In particular our deepest condolences go to Mike’s  daughter Courtney Gibson ,  who has worked with us over the past three years as a great contributor, just like her Dad, to the Nine Network.”

Fairfax Media columnist Peter FitzSimons called Gibson a “great of sports journalism” in a Twitter post. TEN presenter Sandra Sully wrote “Very very sad! Lovely man.” Peter FitzSimon said, “A great of sports journalism. WWOS. Back Page. Vale, Mike.” Melanie McLaughlin said, “Very sad. A true gentleman. Genuinely one of the greats.”

This post updates.

Source: ABC, Fairfax