Veteran racing commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan has died at the age of 97, BBC Sport has announced.

He was the broadcaster’s main commentator from 1948 to 1997.

BBC Sport described him as “an icon in the sport” and the “Voice of Racing”.

The broadcaster, who also worked for the Press Association’s racing department, began his BBC career just after the Second World War when radio ruled the airwaves, but came to be a familiar face on television.

Peter O'Sullevan
Peter O’Sullevan (Julien Behal/PA)

He also spent many years writing about racing at the Daily Express, offering its readers regular tips for big race winners.

Sir Peter, who was knighted in 1997, was born in Ireland to an English mother and Irish father but after their divorce lived with his maternal grandparents in their Surrey country house.

Peter O'Sullevan
Peter O’Sullevan (l) presents owner of Old Benny Trevor Hemmings the winning trophy of the Peter O’Sullevan NH CHS CHallenge at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies/PA)

He was married to Pat for more than 58 years before she died peacefully on New Year’s Eve in 2010 at the age of 89.

His love of racing began as a schoolboy when he put a lucrative sixpence each-way on the 100-1 winner Tipperary Tim in the 1928 Grand National.