Jim Wilson's tribute to Mike Gibson

By jingo by crikey!

Every Saturday arvo that would belt out at home on the Gold Coast.

Five hours of mayhem that included strong men towing planes, daredevils dashing for cash in the snow and even those lunatics chasing the cheese wheel down a mountain in Cornwall.

Wide World of Sports was a must watch and Mike Gibson made it sing.

Mike Gibbson appealed to heartland because he was normal on the screen. Photo: Supplied

The opener was always special with Gibbo promoting what was ahead that afternoon.

His unique voice, clever writing and his passion for the cause lured you in.

Gibbo would then pop up with Ian Chappell and they were a good combo.

Chappell the dry former Aussie skipper sitting beside Gibbo smiling away and using simple language that had incredible cut through.

Gibbo appealed to heartland because he was normal on the screen.

No crap, no fanfare, the bloke you'd want to have over for a BBQ.

Gibbo would then throw to Ian "Bear" Maurice for a sports update.

George Donikian also carried out the role and again the mix with Gibbo and Chappell worked a treat.

Five hours raced by crossing everywhere.

From the ironman to the races with John Tapp and Kenny Callander, WWOS clicked and was good TV.

I was working in Brisbane when I first met Mike Gibson.

I was 19 and a young sports reporter who wanted to follow in Gibbo's footsteps.

I joined Channel 9 Sydney in 1988- the same year Gibbo departed 9 and joined Ten as co-host of Good Morning Australia.

He left a void at Nine at WWOS and sitting beside the legendary newsreader Brian Henderson on the evening news desk.

As a double act, Hendo and Gibbo were dominant in the news ratings.

But Gibbo couldn't knock back the big bucks at Ten and departed Willoughby.

His foray into morning TV didn't last long and he eventually ended up back at what he does best.

He became host of The Back Page on Fox Sports and held that position for more than a decade.

With respect to those who came after him, there was only one Gibbo at WWOS and Back Page.

Mike Gibson was very generous with his time.

We spoke now and then working together in the last couple of years on radio.

He was terrific on radio as he was on TV.

He had that great knockabout voice and a bloody good sense of humour.

He listened to the punters who rang in on the open line and treated every caller with respect.

His writing was exceptional & turn of phrase wonderful.

He was a brilliant scribe and was the complete package.

To this day he's with me every time the red light goes on the camera.

He said it's human to stuff up or stumble and the viewer actually likes it.

Gibbo said it made you look human and not a cardboard cutout.

Now if I stumble or make a mistake on the run, Gibbo is a reassuring voice.

He would always remind me to just read the words like you were talking to your mum or great mate.

Easier said than done but that's what made Gibbo a doyen of sports broadcasting.

He looked at you down the barrel and made you feel so comfortable and at ease.

Gibbo was smart, talented and was a master of his craft.

He never did the Ron Burgundy carry on and he was down to earth.

By jingo, by crikey strap yourself in for the ride of your life on the one and only Wide World of Sports.

Gibbo you lived a full life and you truly are a legend of our game.

RIP Gibbo.