Modest Tyler reflects on how he honed his 'voice of reason'

For someone voted the English Premier League's commentator of the decade, you might assume that Martin Tyler's first taste of the spotlight was through the sport he now scrutinises several times a week. But instead it came unexpectedly, courtesy of a famous flatmate from a quite different game.

Almost 40 years ago when Tyler shared a south London apartment with a raw young professional cricketer they watched the 1970-71 Ashes series together on black and white television, beamed from Australia. But when one of England's fast bowlers broke down with injury, his flatmate was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

His name? Bob Willis, who would go on to become England captain, play 90 test matches and today is a prominent cricket broadcaster. The pair had become friends as students at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford.

'It was a bit of a shock to both of us that England called him up,' Tyler said. 'The next thing I know, Bob was making his test debut at the age of 21 in Australia and the phone in our flat was ringing off the hook with journalists wanting to interview me about Bob.'

At the time, Tyler was just starting out in media, working as an assistant in publishing. It was not until four years later that the former striker from semi-professional soccer made his debut as a TV commentator, calling a second division match between Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday in December 1974.

This week's international break gave Tyler time to reflect on his broadcasting career. He is now arguably the most famous voice in English soccer.