Voice of Isle of Man TT Geoff Cannell dies suddenly

Former Isle of Man TT commentator and press officer Geoff Cannell has died very suddenly at the age of 65.

Geoff and his former friend and colleague, the late Peter Kneale, were for many years the voices of the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix. While Peter was the anchorman at the Grandstand, Geoff was a commentator out on the course at the famous hump-backed bridge in Ballaugh.

His voice became synonymous with the Isle of Man TT for countless fans at trackside and listening on radio every year.

When the commentary points were reduced from four to three because of ever-decreasing lap times, Geoff became the on-the-spot man in the pit lane.

Following the death of Peter Kneale in 2001, Geoff took over his role in the control tower, but more recently he was the media officer for the Isle of Man TT and the Manx Grand Prix.

He was in charge of the press office for this year’s Manx GP, at the end of which he managed to complete his ride in the Manx Classic Weekend Trial on a twin-shock Honda TL200.

He was an avid off-roader and represented the Isle of Man in numerous Inter-Centre trials and motocross events.

The winner of no fewer than four Isle of Man Centre solo trials titles in the 1960s and 1970s, he had top-10 rides in the Manx Two Day Trial and Pre-65 Scottish, but his proudest moment was completing the 1975 International Six Days Trial on his home patch in the Isle of Man on a 360 Bultaco.

Geoff, who leaves a wife Lynda and daughter Zoe, suffered a stroke on Monday, September 24, 2007 and died in the island’s Noble’s Hospital several hours later.

At the time of his death he was making final arrangements in preparation for the 2007 Trial des Nations taking place in the Isle of Man later the same week, for which he was the designated FIM media officer.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed, but donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the ACU Benevolent Fund, c/o Mrs Wyn Evans, 3 Mount View Terrace, Onchan, Isle of Man. Cheques should be made payable to the ACU Benevolent Fund.