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The Rupert Bell Q&A Interview
Exclusive to talkSPORT1089.co.uk

Rupert Bell has been a broadcaster, commentator and reporter for over 20 years and
is now talkSPORT's poshest employee. Known as Parker to his son and something
unprintable to the socialist faction in the talkSPORT office, he wears a lot of tweed and
supported Wimbledon before they headed to Milton Keynes. Now, Rupert is a fan of
newly-formed AFC Wimbledon and heads off to the matches as often as he can.

When not shooting animals, or eating them in his Gloucestershire castle, Rupert travels
the world to cover an array of high-profile events. Horse racing, golf and tennis are his
specialities (largely because the people who watch them are all very rich). He quotes his
coverage of the Goran Ivanesevic versus Patrick Rafter 2001 Wimbledon Final as the
highlight of his broadcasting career, where he worked for Radio Wimbledon.

When did you join talkSPORT and what was your initial role at the station?
I first started working for talkSPORT back in 2000, covering horse racing at the
Cheltenham Festival. Since then I have covered many events and many different sports.

Over the years you have covered various sports including football, golf, rugby, tennis and horse racing as reporter and commentator for talkSPORT. Is there a particular sport you prefer to work on than another?
I have a passion for most sports although I struggle a bit with the various motorsports as I'm no petrol-head! Horse racing is a sport I have covered for over 15 years but I have to say I get a real buzz out of golf and I have always been a huge rugby fan. As I say, I have a passion for most sports but definately not motorsports.

You are part of talkSPORT's commentary team for their live coverage of The 133rd Open Championship from Royal Troon alongside Rob Lee, Richard Boxall and Bob Bubka. What do you think is the reason why the station's golf commentaries are praised so much?
I think it's fairly simple we all have fun. Robert and Richard bring all the necessary knowledge but don't for a second take themselves at all seriously. Bob just has the most wonderful voice and obviously with his very strong links to all the key players from America makes sure we never miss a trick. Also with it being the only time talkSPORT covers golf with commentary it's so vital to make sure we don't alienate the non-golfing fans, so having a fun time on air hopefully keeps the non-committed listening.

Having spent much of your time at talkSPORT at some of the major events in horse racing, how privileged do you feel to be able to be paid for working at these great events?
I am lucky without doubt as all my friends keep reminding me. My wife who is not a great sports fan can't understand what all the fuss is about. But to be paid to spend three days at the Cheltenham Festival is about as good as it gets for a racing journalist.

Last year you presented talkSPORT's Golf Show, would you have liked the opportunity to present this years show as well? Do you think Rhodri Williams will be a good host this year?
I of course would have been delighted to have been asked back, but I am just a hired hand and I don't form part of the decision making progress. I have never met Rhodri Williams but I wish him all the best and I am quite sure he can build on the success of last year.

You presented a short-lived afternoon show on talkSPORT alongside Clare Furlong called The Final Furlong. How did the show come into existence and what was the reason behind its almost instantaneous axing from the airwaves?
It was very short lived. The station wanted to try and promote a female voice, not a bad idea with me as the stooge to Clare, but the powers that be felt it didn't quite fit in the programming at the time. I only knew about a week before that it was going on air and the same for it's axing. I think they were right to drop it.

How good would you say your relationship is with the talkSPORT management?
The fact I am still working on a pretty regular basis for the station suggests that my relationship is pretty good. I have to say I have little cause to gripe in the main. Long may that continue.

What was the greatest sporting spectacle you attended whilst working for talkSPORT?
Tiger Woods winning the 2000 Open at St Andrews.

Before joining talkSPORT, what other radio experience did you gain?
Many moons ago I worked in the Middle-East as a news reporter for Independent Radio News based in Cyprus but became a sports reporter when I joined Clubcall in the late 80's. In the 90's I spent time at LBC.

Recently you worked for Radio Wimbledon, a special station serving the area around the Wimbledon Tennis Championships for the duration of the tournament, as their main commentator. What preparation was made to make these commentaries so successful?
This recent Wimbledon was my 11th for the station, which has a huge following on the Internet. I enjoy the event enormously and the key to the commentary is brushing up on the players beforehand and then let rip during the match. Tennis can provide such raw drama as proved when Goran Ivanisevic tried to serve for the Championships in 2001.

Apart from working on radio, you work on television for Racing Channel At the Races, which has the best racing from Britian and the Republic of Ireland. What is your role for the channel?
I am a reporter but with my commitments to talkSPORT, I probably will only do between 5-10 days a month.

Of the many commentators and reporters you have worked with over the years for the different TV and radio stations, who has been the biggest pleasure to work with?
I used to cover a lot of cricket when I ran CricketCall and to have as my co-commentator Tom Graveney, a childhood hero of mine, was a great thrill.

Was it always your childhood ambition to go into sports reporting?
I actually wanted to be an actor or a priest. I joined the National Youth Theatre but realised I wasn't good enough and as far a being a priest was concerned the time wasn't right.

Of all the sporting events that there are, and that you have not already covered, which ones would you like to cover or attend as a fan?
I've yet to do any of the major football events and i would dearly love to cover a Rugby World Cup in person, as opposed to watching the monitors with sound effects provided by the studio.

What is your earliest racing memory and how exactly did you get into the world of horse racing?
Watching the great Arkle beat Millhouse in the Cheltenham Gold in 1963. With my family always being around horses, my father was a steward and owned racehorses so it was a natural progression although I was too windy to ride the things unlike my brother

Which football team do you actually support and how closely do you follow them?
AFC Wimbledon is now my team after Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes and I keep up via the internet. Seeing them is hard as I live 90 miles away and work every Saturday.

How do you think AFC Wimbledon will do in the forthcoming season and are you happy with the summer transfers?
It's a constant development process for the club and they have the support and like Arsenal were unbeaten in their league last year. Optimism abounds.

What did you think of England's performance during the recent Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal?
Second rate. Too much hype surrounding fairly ordinary players. They got what they deserved and without Rooney they were awful. Well done Greece, however.

What sporting events are you looking forward to the most during the coming 12 months?
Ryder Cup, I hope.

Who is your all-time favourite sports person?
So many but Lester Piggott and Seve Ballesteros are at the top.

What do you listen to in the car whilst driving around the country to be reporter and commentator for the various sporting events you attend?
Obviously talkSPORT, plus BBC Radio Five Live and Virgin Radio. I am an old rocker plus comedy programmes on BBC Radio 4.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema - and what did you think of it? Have you seen any other films you would like to recommend?
Seabiscuit.

What books are you currently reading, and are there any that you have recently read that you would like to recommend?
Lester Piggot's Derbies and Seabiscuit. The book is much better than the film.

Thanks to Rupert Bell for the chance to interview him. You can hear Rupert as part of talkSPORT's coverage of the forthcoming Ryder Cup and Open Championship.

The Rupert Bell Q&A Interview
Rupert Bell
July 2004