'I'd imagine he'll be quite emotional' - Tommo's 60-year commentary career comes to an end at Wolverhampton on Tuesday

The curtain will come down on a commentary and TV career spanning 60 years on Tuesday night when Derek Thompson, better known as Tommo, calls his final race at Wolverhampton.

Thompson, who first commentated at a point-to-point meeting aged 15, became a familiar face during 28 years with Channel 4 Racing and an unlikely social media star thanks to his catchphrase: "Are you well?" 

His career also included a spell with BBC Radio, when he became a Grand National commentator at the age of 22, while he also worked for Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai and defeated the future King Charles III in a charity race.

Two races have been named in his honour at Wolverhampton: the It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes (7.30) and the Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap (9.00), his final ever commentary.

WATCH: Derek 'Tommo' Thompson on tonight's Front Page!

Robert Cooper, who worked with Thompson at Sky Sports Racing before his retirement last year, will be in attendance, and he said: "He's a character and I think people genuinely love his patter at the races.

"There have always been plenty of Tommo-isms in his commentaries, but every caller has a different style and his have always been pretty accurate. He's been around for a long time and did a great job on Channel 4. He always tried to make things quite fun. He's genuinely enthusiastic and it's infectious. He'll stay busy and I'm sure there's not a betting shop in the country he's not opened or closed.

The Big Read with Derek Thompson:

'It left me in tears and I need to stop - I don't want to be thought of as the old guy who made mistakes'

"The last race is named after him, so I'll be there until the end – it's a bit churlish for anybody hoping to slip away early to leave an empty room when he's finished. I'd imagine he'll be quite emotional about it all." 

Robert Cooper: retired from Sky Sports Racing last year

Cooper was involved in a famous clip with Thompson at Hereford, when the latter in the studio said to Cooper, "Oh, you've been joined by a beautiful lady", to which Cooper replied, “It’s a man actually, Derek”. 

The clip went viral years later when shared by the Accidental Partridge X account and was even mentioned on BBC's Graham Norton Show in 2019. Reflecting on that moment, Cooper added: "It's 25 seconds of amusement."

Thompson will be joined at Wolverhampton by friends and family, while the track will make a presentation alongside the jockeys to mark his final meeting.

"We wanted to make sure Tommo could celebrate his career alongside friends and family tomorrow night, so are delighted they could join us for the evening," said Wolverhampton's executive director David Ideson. 

"We'll make a presentation during racing alongside the jockeys, and we have a couple of suitable race titles to mark the cccasion."

Read more:

'It left me in tears and I need to stop - I don't want to be thought of as the old guy who made mistakes' 

‘I wanted it to be as tacky as possible’ - Derek Thompson’s most iconic line immortalised in blue neon lights 

'This isn't retirement - I'm only hanging up my binoculars' - Derek Thompson confirms his final commentary shift and future plans 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more