He was a man who loved a joke, even when it was on him. Perhaps especially when it was on him. Sometimes, when you went too far, he would flare up, only to calm down and laugh a while later. He was opinionated, a very good quality to have in a television broadcaster, and was never shy of sharing his theories and thoughts, something that was very helpful when I had to put together a live broadcast as either a director or producer.
Perhaps the funniest incident I recall with him is when, on a tour of Pakistan, he was roped in to play a festival game that we were broadcasting. When he was batting (it turned out to be a short innings), we mic-d him up and he commentated while in the middle. He was called through for quick single by his partner, and in contrast to his heydays, he hobbled along to the other end and was nearly run-out, leaving the commentary box in paroxysms of laughter.
When…