‘One of the best moments in racing’ as John Hunt returns to commentary after family tragedy

PUNTERS said it was ‘wonderful to hear’ John Hunt back – as the beloved racing commentator returned to work for the first time since his awful family tragedy.

The 5Live announcer was back in the hotseat at Brighton on Monday for At The Races.

Hunt’s wife Carol, 61, and daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were killed in a crossbow attack at their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9.

A GoFundMe page set up by Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman has raised more than £100,000 for Hunty and daughter Amy.

The beloved commentator posted an emotional statement after the devastating discovery, saying ‘every message feels like a hug’.

And Sky Sports listeners were delighted to hear him back doing what he does best for the Flat meeting.

One said: “One of the best moments in racing of recent months is hearing @HuntyCaller back with the microphone at @BrightonRace today.

“John, we were with you over the last few weeks, we are with you today & we will be with you in the future.”

Another wrote: “It’s wonderful hearing the dulcet tones of @HuntyCaller on @SkySportsRacing. We are all behind you, John.”

One message read: “How wonderful to hear @HuntyCaller back where he belongs.”

Another viewer posted: “Just to say how lovely to hear @HuntyCaller back on the mic.”

While a fellow racing follower wrote: “Great to hear @HuntyCaller back on commentary at @BrightonRace . What a man. Wishing him the best of everything.”

BBC commentator Hunt and Amy previously said in a joint statement that their devastation ‘cannot be put into words’.

They said: “We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days.

“These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.

“While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.”

Hunt’s decision to return to work showed he is trying to get back to some sort of normality – though life will never be the same again.

The entire racing world rallied round the hugely popular personality as news of the horrific tragedy spread.

More than 50 people attended a vigil held at St James’s Church near the scene with hundreds of tributes and flowers placed nearby.

A minute’s silence was held at Newmarket racecourse in Suffolk and jockeys wore black armbands in tribute.