Tributes have been paid to veteran TT commentator Maurice Mawdsley, who died unexpectedly in hospital on June 13.

Mr Mawdsley, who was 75, was a key part of the government’s information systems division until his retirement in 2002, and started off his commentating career in the 1980s.

Initially, this was to be a one-off , but he continued for a further 29 years.

Fellow commentator Roy Moore said Mr Mawdsley got involved through his friendship with the renowned TT commentator, Peter Kneale.

’Maurice admitted he knew very little about the TT when he arrived. He was a golf and a cricket fan,’ Mr Moore said.

Mr Mawdsley’s daughter, Kate Schofield said her father would be ’fondly remembered with laughter and smiles’ and described him as a loving husband and soulmate to his wife Marilyn. He had played cricket for Valkyres and remained as an umpire after his playing career ended. He had also played in goal for Gymnasium Football Club.

On a less energetic note, he and Marilyn were keen players with Isle of Man Bridge Club and, along with their close friend Jane Quayle, were joint presidents of Manx Operatic Society.

This brought out his more extrovert side.

’He always played the pantomime dame, not that he could sing or dance,’ she said.

His commentating career began ’absolutely by accident’. He was initially a timekeeper for the Southern 100 races and stepped in to cover an absence.

’Then he just didn’t leave until he retired from the S100 in 2016,’ she said.

He was honoured for his services to the S100 Club, which presented him with a crystal microphone at its annual dinner in February.

’He always said he didn’t know the front end of a bike from the back, but he acquired the knowledge as he went along,’ she said.

Mr Moore said Mr Mawdsley commentated at Ballacraine on the TT course initially, before moving to the Bungalow, then Glen Helen.

’He was quite a matter-of-fact commentator who gave information in a consumate style of presentation and he had a very recognisable voice,’ he said. ’We became friends at Douglas Golf Club. He had a good sense of humour and was fun to be with.’

Former tourism and leisure minister David Cretney said: ’His was one of the voices that comes to mind when you think of the TT and S100 races. The S100 was perhaps the meeting that he most enjoyed and many people have described him as the voice of the S100.’

S100 Club chairman George Peach said: ’He witnessed and described brilliantly two unique milestones, the first 100 mph lap by Brian Reid in 1983 and the first 100mph laps by the sidecars in 2016, his final year.’

As well as Kate, he was father to Simon, Matthew and Emma and father-in-law to Nick. He was also grandfather to nine grandchildren.

A mass will be on Friday at St Mary’s Church, Douglas, then a service at Douglas Borough Cemetery. Bright casual clothing only. Donations in lieu of flowers to S100 Supporters Club (c/o George Peach).