‘David Duffield was more than a commentator, he was an entertainer’

The 84-year-old, who had been at the broadcaster for almost 20 years, suffered a heavy fall and died from the complications.

"He was a giant for Eurosport," said Kirby. "He was a lot of people’s way into cycling because, more than just a commentator, he was a proper entertainer. He was able to carry long stages where nothing would happen with great skill and great aplomb and his voice was so engaging.

“He had previously worked for Raleigh and was part of their development team. He was credited with starting and producing BMX cycling. He told the company that it was where the future lies and so was the project manager who essentially launched a sport."

Eurosport's Managing Director David Kerr added: "David was one of the truly great characters in Eurosport's history. His eclectic commentary style won him many, many fans amongst our cycling viewers and way before the years of British success on the road his passion for the sport helped make Eurosport the home of cycling on British TV. David was a genuinely unique figure in sports broadcasting and we are all very sad to hear of his loss."

Before he was employed as a commentator, after excelling at stadium announcing in the Skol races, Duffield had a career in tricycling. “He was the No 1, globally, tricycle racer,” added Kirby. “His great upset was that it never achieved the same status as bicycling because, he said, with the counter-balancing you had to put into cornering it deserves to be a recognised sport. Of course it never happened but he was Mr Tricycle.”

Kirby, who began working with Duffield in 1989, added that it was his friend who gave many people a route into the sport that he loved - which in the late 80s was nowhere near as popular as it is now.

He said: “He was a very engaging character and had a more touristic view of Grand Tours and would basically take people on holiday each year. He was a way in for cycling people, who weren’t cycling nerds, to appreciate what the sport can give. He was almost like everybody’s kindly uncle, showing them the way.

“He had a great Duffieldism, which was 'this is a turn your granny to the wall moment' which was basically when a cyclist decided to have a comfort break on the side of the road. It kind of encapsulates his humour. And then his laugh, which used to echo around a room. Everyone was disabled by it.

“There will be so many fans who will be shocked to hear of his passing.”

Head of English commentators Simon Reed added to the tributes. He said: “David was very much a bon viveur. It was a glorious adventure listening to him for hour upon hour.

“The Tour De France or the tour de anywhere became a magical, mystery tour. Cycling really had the benefit. Then what happened in the Olympics with Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy took it a stage further, and made it a different event, but David was very important in the early stages of cycling’s development.

“Sometimes we had our battles because he was pushing cycling so hard and I had to calm him down a bit but wherever he went he was a tour de force.”

“I think about him walking into the office, so full of life every day. It really was a joy for him to commentate on cycling. It was that look on his face when he walked into the office that I won’t forget.

“Everyone at Eurosport who knew him through the years will be devastated.”