Overview

• BBC confirmed that Ray French died on July 26 at age 85 after a prolonged battle with dementia.
• Tributes poured in from rugby bodies and figures including RL Cares, the Rugby Football League, Jonathan Davies and Barrie McDermott.
• BBC Breakfast dedicated a Sunday segment to French, showcasing classic clips and celebrating his distinctive commentary.
• The broadcaster has scheduled a rerun of a 2016 Rugby League Heroes episode on Radio Humberside and BBC Sounds as a memorial tribute.
• French spent 32 years as the BBC’s lead rugby league commentator—from succeeding Eddie Waring in 1981 to retiring in 2013—and was honoured with an MBE in 2011.