Legendary BBC racing commentator John Hanmer – who called Frankie Dettori’s Magnificent Seven – dies aged 82

Legendary BBC Grand National commentator John Hanmer – who also called Frankie Dettori’s Magnificent Seven – has sadly died aged 82.

Along with the Beeb for racing’s most famous contest between 1972 and 2003, he also took the mic for Dettori’s career-defining Ascot heroism who stung the bookmakers for £40million in 1996.

A mainstay of the BBC’s Grandstand Grand National coverage, Hanmer worked as a commentary assistant to Peter O’Sullevan from 1971 to 1997.

During these years he would take over as runners crossed Melling Road in Aintree’s flagship race each April.

Current racing commentator Ian Bartlett worked with Hanmer – who died on Sunday – for a decade at the Beeb.

He said the racing and cricketing fanatic would always make people laugh and was the ultimate professional.

Barty told the race station“He was an extremely polite man with a fantastic sense of humor.

“I had lunch with him two weeks ago and his memory for things going back to the 1950s was fantastic and he was always razor sharp.”

Racing TV presenter Lydia Hislop was among those who paid tribute.

She wrote on Twitter: “What a loss. He will be sorely missed.”

Another friend wrote: “An old school charmer. I have always enjoyed being in his company.

Angus Loughran, who was part of the BBC racing team, said: “He was a great man.”

While Brendan Powell, who won the National in 1998 on Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, wrote on Twitter: “RIP John ‘Melling Road’ Hanmer. A gentleman in every sense of the word.”

Racing commentator Darren Owen previously said: “This man is a British racing legend.

While one racing fan commented: “It’s very sad. Part of my racing childhood growing up.”

Hanmer also worked as a jockey agent for top riders Steve Cauthen and Mick Kinane.