Eddie Hemmings to retire from rugby league commentary

Eddie Hemmings will hang up his microphone on Good Friday as he leaves his position as rugby league commentator for Sky Sports.

For a quarter of a century, Eddie and Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson were the sport’s voices and best-loved characters.

And since Stevo’s retirement, Hemmings has continued on commentary with Barrie McDermott and Terry O’Connor for Sky Sports.

On his retirement, Hemmings said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to work for Sky Sports for nearly 30 years.

“When Stevo retired, I said I’d give it a couple more years without him, and with Terry O’Connor and Barrie McDermott alongside me the fun has never stopped.

“There are far too many people to thank – but I’d just like to single out our head of rugby league Neville Smith and the most brilliant of researches, Ian Proctor, who have made my job so easy.

“Also, to the Super League coaches, who have trusted me and shared information with me – a huge debt of gratitude to all of them.

“I’ll miss it, there’s no doubt about that – but now I will have more time for my wife and family.

“My wife Carole and I have many adventures planned – to coin a phrase from Super League itself, it’s a whole new era for us and new beginnings.”

Hemmings’ farewell game for Sky Sports will be the famous Good Friday derby between Wigan Warriors and St Helens on April 19.