Yorkshire cricket voice Dave Callaghan dies after a heart attack Published duration 13 March 2018

media caption Dave Callaghan worked for the BBC in radio and TV and was fondly known as the 'voice of Yorkshire cricket'

Tributes have been paid to Dave Callaghan, the man widely regarded as the voice of Yorkshire cricket, who has died aged 63 following a heart attack.

Mr Callaghan, who worked for BBC Radio Leeds and Look North, was taken ill on Friday and died on Monday night.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) said he was a "much-loved personality" and "held in the highest regard".

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Twitter: "We have lost one of life's great men."

Mr Callaghan, who was known as Cally or DC, had worked in sports journalism for more than 45 years, working as sports editor at BBC Radio Leeds and as a commentator for Leeds United.

The YCCC team held a minute's silence and wore black armbands in tribute to him ahead of their game with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club on their current tour in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

image copyright Yorkshire County Cricket Club image caption Yorkshire cricketers pay tribute while on tour in South Africa

Mr Callaghan was principally "considered by many as the voice of Yorkshire Cricket", YCCC said.

In a statement, the club added: "Dave's passion for Yorkshire cricket was unparalleled and his commentary will forever be associated with some of the greatest moments in our modern history."

Mark Arthur, the club's chief executive, said: "Dave was a very special person who loved Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

"This is a terribly sad day and our thoughts are with his wife Pat and his family."

Jonny Bairstow, Yorkshire and England batsman and wicketkeeper, said Mr Callaghan "was part and parcel of everything that goes on" in the sport.

Speaking from New Zealand, where he is on tour with England, he said: "It's something that probably won't sink in until we get back to Headingley, when we get back to the county season and Cally's not there to do all the commentary.

"To see you when you walk into the ground on a match day, to wish you luck, to do all the commentary, to do the highlights, to come on away tours.

"He was someone that came on the bus with us, he was part and parcel of the team."

image copyright Yorkshire County Cricket Club image caption Dave Callaghan (right and pictured with former umpire Dickie Bird) was a "very special person" in cricket in Yorkshire

image caption Dave Callaghan (left) pictured in the commentary box with BBC Radio Leeds' Dave Fletcher

Gareth Jones, sports editor at BBC Radio Leeds, said Mr Callaghan was "a man who truly loved his sport and loved his work".

"A true professional, who worked tirelessly - always going the extra mile - and all the years I've know him I never once heard him moan once about any aspect of his job.

"He always had a smile on his face and we will never forget him."

Michael Vaughan, who played cricket for Yorkshire and England, and YCCC chairman Steve Denison also paid tribute to Mr Callaghan on Twitter.

A Tribute to Dave Callaghan will be broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds at 18:00 GMT on Tuesday 13 March, and will be available on iPlayer for seven days afterwards.