John Motson, the BBC football commentator who was one of the most well-known voices in British sport for 50 years, has died.

He was 77.

“It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today (Thursday),” said a statement from Motson’s family on Thursday.

Fondly known as “Motty,” Motson called games for Britain’s national broadcaster from 1968 to 2018, covering 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals.

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He commentated on almost 2500 televised games, the BBC said.

Motson was known for his passion and knowledge of soccer and synonymous with wearing a sheepskin coat in the commentary box.

In 2001, Motson received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to sports broadcasting.

Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died,” former England striker and current Match of the Day commentator Gary Lineker said on Twitter.

“A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. He’ll be very much missed.”

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Fellow commentator Martin Tyler told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He was a standard setter for us all.

“He was a very serious broadcaster but he was a really fun guy to be around. He had a great sense of humour.

“Just a few days after Dickie Davies left us, broadcasting has taken two very big hits.

“He was an icon and a beacon to us all.”

-with Reuters and PA