Racing in shock after death of much-loved TV presenter Jonathan Neesom

RACING has been plunged into mourning after the death of much-loved TV presenter Jonathan Neesom following a ‘short illness’.

Neesom, who was an expert on jumps racing and delivered his insight regularly from Cheltenham, was a key part of Racing TV’s coverage.

Known for his very dry sense of humour and ability to spot a winner, Neesom, believed to be in his 70s, was a huge hit with viewers and a commanding voice in a crowded industry.

A post from Racing TV’s official X account confirmed his sad passing.

The post read: “With a heavy heart, we can confirm the death of much-loved colleague Jonathan Neesom after a short illness.

“A member of the Racing TV team from the start, we will all greatly miss his knowledge, integrity, humour, enthusiasm and love of the sport.”

Tributes flooded in from the likes of ITV Racing’s Oli Bell, who said it was ‘hard to comprehend’ Neesom’s passing and added: “I, and so many others, will really miss him.”

Writing on the Racing TV website, fellow presenter Lydia Hislop said: “It’s impossible to encapsulate Jonathan in a few words. Try, he would say – and don’t stuff it up…

“He touched far more people than he realised, and in his final weeks he was overwhelmed by the kind messages he received from so many. They gave him great comfort.

“For fans of this sport, particularly Jump racing, he embodied their passion – an incredibly rare quality to be able to convey. He had that; it came naturally.

“I know this not just because I’ve spent more than 20 happy years standing beside him, revelling in his pithy articulation of exactly what we should be talking about, but also because so many people – even those he didn’t know – have been in touch to ask after him in recent months.

“Like all of us, they were missing him.

“His humour, his principles and every single one of his infuriatingly familiar foibles are what I shall miss most.

“I am so grateful for the time I spent with him and to have been able to call him my good friend.”

Neesom was a regular on Racing TV – then known as Racing UK – since it launched 20 years ago.

A man who lived and breathed racing, he was a walking encyclopedia when it came to form and could tell punters about horses of every level – from Gold Cup winners to his beloved point-to-pointers.

Listening to him talk it came as no surprise he was a former school teacher.

Confident and self-assured, he spoke with real authority on racing and his opinions carried tremendous weight.

As one viewer summed it up: “Big fan of Jonathan, loved his his dry sense of humour. His knowledge of racing was second to none. He’ll be sorely missed.”