Dan Walker emotional and BBC fans in tears over tributes to John Hunt’s family

Dan Walker has praised BBC Radio 5 Live Mark Chapman for his heartbreaking tribute to close colleague, racing commentator John Hunt, whose wife and two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack at their home.

Hunt's wife Carol, 61, as well as their two daughters Hannah and Louise, were named as the victims of a crossbow attack at their home. The BBC star's family were killed in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening. Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford was later detained by police at a cemetery in Enfield, north London on Wednesday night.

BBC listeners were also left in tears by Chapman's introduction to the football coverage on Wednesday.

Newsreader Walker shared praise for "wonderful" Chapman whose job it was to commentate on the England game just as the news had been announced about his BBC colleague and friend Hunt's family. The Channel 5 star shared his post on both Instagram and X.

He wrote on social media: "The football was amazing last night and we are so blessed to have brilliant commentators in the UK. John Hunt is one of the best and his life was ripped apart yesterday when his wife and daughters were murdered.

"Life is hard sometimes but give yourself a moment to listen to how the wonderful Mark Chapman introduced the football after the news about his colleague and friend had just been reported in the bulletin before he started."

Laura Wright agreed writing in the comments: "Absolutely heartbreaking. There aren't the words."

BBC fans in tears over John Hunt tributes

Social media was awash with BBC listeners saying they were left in tears by Chapman's tribute. One person wrote: "We were eating tea when Chappers made this introduction. Brought my wife and I to tears. Heartbreaking, but brilliant from Mark Chapman."

Someone else wrote: "I heard this live and had tears in my eyes just listening to him. Powerful, authentic and very very moving. You can tell how much he cares and how much John Hunt means to him and everyone else at 5live."

Another person added: "Listening required but also big box of tissues! What a class act."

A BBC listener said: "I hadn’t heard Mark’s introduction before now but he actually brought me to tears. Heartfelt, warm, emotional and I thank him for it. Heaven knows how John must be feeling. What an awful tragedy. He deserves our love and our support."

Additionally, another person added: "@markchapman is one of our greatest commentators, and full respect for laying bear his emotion live, that was a tough listen. Heartbreaking."

Someone else said: "You can hear the pure emotion in Marks' voice. Such overwhelming news to deliver. @HuntyCaller has our support and love at this devastating time."

Charlotte Hawkins

Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins called the news "horrific" and "shocking" on air on Thursday. She shared her horror while talking to senior news correspondent Jonathan Swain who was reporting live from the scene in Bushey.

She said: "A horrifically shocking thing to have happened. We know the suspect was arrested yesterday and still receiving treatment."

Mark Chapman's tribute to John Hunt and family

BBC presenter Chapman got emotional on air when he paid tribute to his colleague and friend Hunt and his family. "This has been a heartbreaking day," he said. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chapman sent his love to his friend from all of their team.

He introduced the football saying: "Good evening from Germany, we have a football match to bring you tonight and we will do and we will start our build-up to it shortly.

"But this has been a heartbreaking day, John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live Sport team but all of those who worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

"So on behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love, thoughts and support are with John and his family."

Read more

• Who are the family of John Hunt killed in Bushey crossbow attack?

• What we know about Kyle Clifford manhunt as suspect detained