David Lloyd leaves Sky Sports after 22-year commentary career

The former England coach hangs up the mic after more than two decades with the broadcaster

David Lloyd has decided to step away from Sky Sports' cricket coverage after 22 years in the commentary box.

The 74-year-old, who played and coached England, found mainstream fame leading the broadcasters' coverage across the international and domestic formats.

Lloyd, affectionately known as Bumble, has been a central figure in Sky establishing themselves as the go-to platform for cricket on television, voicing the action with an entertaining and comic flavour.

^{David Lloyd is leaving Sky (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

In November, he became embroiled in the racism scandal which has engulfed English cricket.

Azeem Rafiq alleged that Lloyd tried to smear him in an effort to discredit his allegations of racism against Yorkshire.

Lloyd subsequently apologised to Rafiq and the Asian cricket community for his involvement.

"I'm done now with Sweet Caroline but in the words of Elton John: 'I'm still standing'"

David Lloyd

"It's been an immense privilege to try and bring the sport I love into people's homes up and down the country," he said in a statement on Twitter.

"With the passing of Bob Willis and after the decision to move on by my good friends David Gower, Ian Botham and more recently, Michael Holding, the commentary box feels a little emptier.

"And so I feel it is time for me to do the same and move on to the next chapter.

"To those that follow, cherish that mic. Inform and entertain, so the next generation can fall into love with this wonderful game.

"I'm done now with Sweet Caroline but in the words of Elton John: 'I'm still standing'."

Sky colleagues Nasser Hussain and Rob Key have led the tributes to Lloyd.

"I cannot believe I will not be sharing a Sky commentary box with David Lloyd anymore," ex-England skipper Hussain wrote for The Daily Mail. "He is one of the all-time great commentators and a wonderful human being.

"Cricket is in Bumble's veins. You can hear his love and passion for the game in every word he says and he has that priceless ability to inform and entertain at the same time."

Lloyd was a key part of the broadcaster's T20 and international coverage (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

"What a sad day," Key posted on social media. "The best person I know. By some distance as well. Love always @BumbleCricket. Nobody does it better. Congratulations on a magnificent career."

Ebony Rainford Brent added: "It has been an absolute joy working with @BumbleCricket over the last few years. Sad to see him hang up his boots but he has bought a lot of joy to a lot of people. Will be missed in the comm box."

Former England international Alex Hartley wrote: "You've provided great entertainment over the years and changed cricket comms forever. 

"You've proved people can be themselves, have a laugh and still talk sense. 

"You've inspired me to be the commentator I am today. 

"Thank you Bumble, for everything."

Ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen paid tribute to Lloyd, too, saying: "You were and are awesome".