Racing commentator’s colleagues send love after wife and daughters murdered

John Hunt has worked for BBC Radio 5 Live for around 20 years.

A message on a floral tribute near to the scene in Ashlyn Close (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

The colleagues of a BBC racing commentator have offered their love and thoughts after the crossbow murders of his wife and two daughters.

John Hunt, who has worked for BBC Radio 5 Live for around 20 years, was described as an “outstanding commentator and broadcaster” by those sending their sympathies.

Mr Hunt’s wife Carol and two of their three daughters were found fatally injured at a house in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday.

I know I'm speaking for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community as well... when I say everyone is sending sympathy, love and support to him

Cornelius Lysaght

Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford was found on Wednesday afternoon after a manhunt.

A note sent to Mr Hunt’s colleagues at BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday said the organisation would provide the commentator with “all the support we can”.

It read: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.

“Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”

Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman sent his “love and thoughts” to fellow commentator and friend Mr Hunt after a “heartbreaking day”.

Speaking through tears at the start of the Euro 2024 pre-match show on 5 Live, Mr Chapman said: “John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live sport team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

“On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.”

BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: “There are no words.

There are no words here. Just the wish to let John know we love him and racing loves him. There are loads of us who he can talk to should he need or want to

Matt Chapman

“Like everyone else I feel numb and sick on John’s behalf at such incomprehensible evil.

“Everyone who knows John knows he is the absolute archetypal family man, so proud of them, so it’s impossible to know what he can be going through.

“But I know I’m speaking for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community as well, both of which he’s been part of for so long, when I say everyone is sending sympathy, love and support to him. It’s just awful.”

ITV and Sky Sports Racing commentator Matt Chapman said: “News like this is shocking enough but on a personal level even more so when it involves a friend and colleague you totally respect.

“There are no words here. Just the wish to let John know we love him and racing loves him. There are loads of us who he can talk to should he need or want to.

“John is an outstanding commentator and broadcaster – but he’s also just a lovely bloke.”

It is impossible to comprehend the horror that has been inflicted upon them by this dreadful event

Julie Harrington

A statement from Sky Sports Racing read: “Everyone at Sky Sports Racing is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in Hertfordshire and our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time.”

Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: “The thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with John Hunt, his family and friends at this shocking and tragic time.

“It is impossible to comprehend the horror that has been inflicted upon them by this dreadful event.

“John is a great friend to many in our sport and I am sure that in this time of unimaginable grief for him, the racing family will rally around as we have seen many times before when one of our number is faced with great trauma.”