News

Match of the Day celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, after launching back in August 1964 with a game between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Half a century later, after five decades of triumph and tragedy for football fans across the country, the UK's flagship football programme is still going strong and remains as iconic as ever.

To celebrate this, Digital Spy has collated its own Premier League table of Motd icons from past and present. Using a (likely contentious) points system based around football knowledge, longevity on the show and a certain 'magic factor' that makes them a warm presence on our screens, this is our just-for-fun chart of the biggest names in its history.

Key: K=Knowledge L=Longevity M=Magic Factor (out of 10)

20. Robbie Savage – 14 points

K: 4, L: 4, M: 6

Love him or hate him, Robbie has grown to become one of Motd's most regular pundits over the past couple of...

Barry Davies will make a one-off return to the BBC's Match of the Day.

The legendary broadcaster is scheduled to call the Crystal Palace vs West Ham match on Saturday (August 23) in honour of Match of the Day's 50th anniversary.

Davies began covering football for Match of the Day in 1969, and remained on the programme for the ensuing 35 years.

He made his last appearance on the show back in 2004.

Though most known for his football coverage, Davies has also covered the Olympics and the Boat Race for the BBC prior to his departure a decade ago.

Davies's return to Match of the Day will also feature coverage from Jonathan Pearce, John Motson, Alistair Mann, Steve Wilson and Guy Mowbray when the action gets under way at 10.30pm on BBC One.

A documentary titled Match of the Day at 50 airs tonight (August 22) on BBC One at 10.35pm.

Dancing on Ice commentator Tony Gubba has died at the age of 69.

He was born in Manchester and also commentated on sports throughout his career, making regular appearances on Match of the Day and Grandstand.

A statement on his official website from representatives Nmp Live read: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Tony Gubba aged 69, following a short illness. Our thoughts are with his family."

Gubba appeared on all eight series of Dancing on Ice from 2006 to the most recent run in 2013, but took sick leave some weeks ago.

Last year marked Gubba's 40th season as a football commentator. He took over from Barry Davies to become the third-longest serving football commentator of all time on British TV, following John Motson and Gerald Sinstadt.

He first worked as a local newspaper reporter in Lancashire before joining The Daily Mirror. He also worked for the BBC,...

It’s hard to predict who the “chosen one” will be to light the Olympic torch today, but the Internet is abuzz with contenders.

Sir Roger Bannister is currently the favorite for the task. Bannister, 83, became the first man to break the four-minute mile in 1954. Former English decathlete Daley Thompson is also in the mix.

In the past, torch lighters have included members of royalty, global icons, and young, up-and-commers as well; Prince William (and potentially wife Kate Middleton) or 22-year-old basketball player Amber Charles, who played a key role in London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics, could also light the flame.