Some damage to the cover.
Derek Thompson has been synonymous with horseracing for four decades. Desert Orchid, Red Rum and Frankel were all described as the people’s horse, but when it comes to racing on TV and radio there is only one people’s broadcaster and in Tommo: Too Busy To Die his story is told. For the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV, the man known to millions by a nickname has brought his face, voice and unique style of presenting to some of the sport’s most famous events. Hugely popular, infectiously enthusiastic and boasting almost as many catchphrases as Sir Bruce Forsyth, Derek is the racing fans’ favourite.
In an eventful life, he has beaten the Prince of Wales at Plumpton, taken on the role of negotiator in the kidnapping of Shergar, worked on three Olympic Games and been a trusted confidant to racing’s biggest owner, Sheikh Mohammed. He has suffered High Court humiliation, endured an unfortunate encounter with Bo Derek and been aced by Channel 4 Racing after more than 30 years loyal service, during which he made a phone call that saved the network’s coverage of the sport.
One of the world’s great workaholics he has bounced back from one setback after another, but in by far the biggest battle of all he has seen off cancer. Quite simply, Tommo was too busy to die. Deliciously indiscreet and always entertaining, Derek has countless stories to tell, but the most interesting story of all is his own, and for the first time, good and bad, happy and sad, he is telling it.
Paperback.