Legendary Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler, 78, reveals he’s had surgery to save his voice after a keratin build-up in his throat – caused by ‘overuse’ – risked leaving him mute

Martin Tyler has revealed that he underwent surgery to save his iconic voice and has opened up on the ‘frightening’ prospect of being left unable to speak.

It was announced in June 2023 that the legendary Sky Sports commentator would be leaving his position with the broadcaster, ending a 33-year spell with the company. 

While he was replaced at Sky by Peter Drury, Tyler has one of the most recognisable and well-known voices in television, with the 78-year-old becoming the voice of the Premier League over the past 20 years. 

Despite that, Tyler has revealed that he feared permanently losing his voice after damaging it during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

‘I overused my voice and the climate in Qatar affected my cords so I realised I needed help,’ Tyler told The Daily Star. 

The ex-Sky Sports broadcaster claimed that he had damaged his voice at the Qatar World Cup

The 78-year-old commentator admitted his fears that he could lose his voice permanently 

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He subsequently had to undergo surgery at St George’s Hospital in London to remove a Keratosis, a small growth of keratin, on his larynx.  

‘My voice is my identity but the thought of not working again wasn’t the worst part of it, not being able to socialise was a real prospect,’ he added. 

‘Not being able to answer the phone, go for coffee with friend and only talking to those who were very close to me was frightening.

‘I’ve had a very long career so losing my living had financial implications, but it was the loss of socialising that hit me. 

‘When I lost my voice I had to go to a few events and it was very difficult. I either had to hide my condition or reveal to people I was close to and who I trusted.’ 

Tyler has stepped back onto the gantry since leaving Sky Sports, with the 78-year-old now working with TNT Sports and surprised fans in December when he called Shakhtar Donetsk’s Champions League match against Porto. 

He thanked the professionals at St George’s, including speech therapist Elissa Finn, who helped him recover. 

‘Since my treatment I have done 40 commentaries. It’s a miracle. It (my voice) didn’t mean anything to me before, but it now means to me not taking my voice for granted. The loss of my voice and the potential of losing it forever was the worst-case scenario.’

In December, Tyler had also stated that he was sacked by Sky Sports, claiming that he had not stepped down as was originally announced.

‘I didn’t step down, I was stepped down,’ he told The Sun.

Tyler began at Sky Sports 33 years ago and became one of TV’s most recognisable voices 

Tyler was often joined in the gantry by ex-footballers such as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher

Peter Drury replaced Tyler as Sky Sports’ main commentator and has settled in well so far 

‘I haven’t retired. I’m very grateful to some channels who have decided that I’ve still got something to contribute.’

He added: ‘Please don’t think there’s any bitterness about Sky at all, they gave me a wonderful run.

‘I’ve got many friends there, I’ll be watching in the press room at the Emirates after the Arsenal-Brighton game, the coverage of Liverpool vs Manchester United and it’ll bring back a lot of personal memories. I wish everybody well.’

His most famous piece of commentary came in the climax of the 2011-12 Premier League season when Sergio Aguero scored Man City’s dramatic late winner against QPR to steal the league title from their rivals Man United.