29 Facts About Henry Blofeld

Henry Blofeld has established a reputation as a commentator with an accent, vocabulary and syntax that is quintessentially Old Etonian both in style and substance.

Henry Blofeld writes on cricket and has authored eight books to date.

Henry Blofeld is a distant relative of the Honourable Freddie Calthorpe, a former England Test captain, but, contrary to common belief, he is not Calthorpe's nephew.

Henry Blofeld was educated at Sunningdale School and at Eton College, followed by King's College, Cambridge, but failed both his final exams.

Henry Blofeld was wicket-keeper for the Eton College First XI and had an exceptional career as a schoolboy cricketer.

In 1956, Henry Blofeld scored 104 not out for a Public Schools team against the Combined Services, and he was given the Cricket Society's award for the most promising young player of the season.

Henry Blofeld was unable to obtain a regular place in the side as a wicket keeper and only played in that position when first choice Chris Howland was unavailable.

Henry Blofeld attended King's College, Cambridge, but left after two years without receiving a degree.

Henry Blofeld played one Gillette Cup match for a minor county, Norfolk against Hampshire in 1965 under the captaincy of Bill Edrich, who was 49 years old at the time.

Henry Blofeld took a job at the merchant bank Robert Benson Lonsdale for three years, but it was not to his taste and he drifted into sports journalism.

When he was told by David Clark, the tour manager, that he might have to play, Henry Blofeld replied "I would certainly play if needed, but if I scored 50 or upwards in either innings I was damned if I would stand down for the Calcutta Test".

Henry Blofeld continued as a print journalist until 1972 when he joined the Test Match Special team.

Henry Blofeld had previously commentated for ITV in the 1960s.

Henry Blofeld was a regular commentator for TMS from 1972 to 2017, except for a period at BSkyB from 1991 to 1994.

In 1995, Henry Blofeld was censured for an allegedly antisemitic comment made live on-air on Test Match Special, when broadcasting from Headingley.

Henry Blofeld referred to onlookers watching a match from the balcony of a tall building outside the ground at Headingley as being at "the Jewish end".

Henry Blofeld missed the 2009 home test series against South Africa but returned for the 2010 home series against Pakistan.

On 23 June 2017, Henry Blofeld announced his retirement as a BBC Test Match Special commentator.

Henry Blofeld was given a standing ovation on a lap of the ground following the match.

Henry Blofeld was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2003.

Henry Blofeld has written a partly autobiographical book entitled My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket.

Henry Blofeld undertakes an "Evening With Blowers" theatrical show which has toured all over the UK, as well as many other public speaking engagements.

In November 2003, Henry Blofeld was the castaway on Desert Island Discs with his favourite selection being the classic Brian Johnston and Jonathan Agnew TMS exchange "Getting your leg over".

Henry Blofeld often wears vividly coloured outfits, which he ascribes to partial colour blindness.

Henry Blofeld celebrated his 70th birthday by hosting an evening show in front of 2000 paying "guests" at the Royal Albert Hall, with appearances on stage by friends such as TMS commentator Jonathan Agnew, who narrated the event live, West Indian commentator Tony Cozier, TV personality Stephen Fry, cricket journalist John Woodcock, TV celebrity Christine Hamilton and his elder brother, former High Court Judge Sir John Henry Blofeld.

In January 2015 Henry Blofeld was a guest, and the winner, on the BBC One's comedy series Room 101.

Henry Blofeld separated from his Swedish second wife, Bitten, in 2007.

Henry Blofeld had a double heart bypass operation in 1999 after being diagnosed with angina and was given the last rites after he nearly died in intensive care following the operation.

Henry Blofeld lived in Chelsea for many years, but moved to Menorca in 2018.