It's the end of an era and Des Lynam was in a sad but resigned mood yesterday.
Sportsnight, that great BBC institution, is to finish for good after a 28-year run.
"It's strange it's like an old friend dying," he said yesterday in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror.
"Some might call it a mercy killing, euthanasia but it's still pulling in around nine million viewers."
For six years his twinkly-eyed grin has captivated millions. Women adore his laid-back charm. Men his armchair next door manner.
Calm and controlled, smooth, silver-haired Des seems unflappable as he joins us in our living rooms.
Behind the smooth veneer, Des is just as polished. There have been so few real panics on the show that the worst is still sharp in Des's mind.
The Tuesday night a panicky voice said: "We've got a problem."
A second later the film of an Everton v West Ham match bubbled, blurred and ground to a halt.
"The video tape was playing so fast it melted," says Des. "It was totally ruined."
Even the laid-back Des was shaken.
"I had a tight knot in the pit of my stomach. You try to be professional but you can't help but feel a wave of panic. The programme had to be taken off air.
"They filled in with music while the crew sorted it out. That was scary."
Des knows the loss of Sportsnight, will be a blow to the fans.
"It's like an old friend dying," he says.
"When the BBC changes one of it's programmes it upsets people. If Blue Peter ended we would all be upset even if we hadn't seen it since we were 10.
"I'm sure we will get lots of letters."
But said the BBC sports anchorman, it had to happen.
"It's sad but inevitable. There is no point fooling the viewers. We no longer have the coverage of major soccer and boxing events.
"I believe that is something has served it's purpose, it's time to go. Viewers are less interested in the Sportsnight format and we will respond to that by covering events differently."
The 55-year-old smoothie is about to sign a new four-year pounds 2 million contract with the BBC to front general weekday sports.
In the past he has hinted of handing over the anchorman's hot seat and even mentioned those dreaded words retirement.
But says Des, he's sticking with the Beeb.
'I've changed my mind about retirement. It's just one of those things you say sometimes. I'm definitely not going yet. I'm delighted to be signing a new contract."
Sportsnight will carry on until the end of the season in May.
"It's like a slow euthanasia. We've nothing planned to mark the end of it we will probably just go gracefully into the night."
Des, a Brighton and Hove Albion fan who claims their 1983 cup final "we almost won" as his greatest sporting moment, has tremendous memories of his years on Sportsnight
"The hairy moments stick in my mind like the season four FA cup replays went into extra time.
"We started the programme not knowing what we would be talking about first. I had to change what I was going to say."
One of his favourite interviewees is boxer Mike Tyson.
"He is awesome. I found him much more intelligent than I imagined. It's so amazing meeting him."
And Des, who has interviewed sporting greats from John McEnroe, to Henry Cooper, admits he is nearly dumbstruck when he is with the man he has looked up to since his twenties.
"I was always awestruck when I spoke to Bobby Charlton. He's a good friend of mine now but I still can't believe it. I have this image of the 1966 World Cup final and I can't believe I know this superstar."
Des speaks glowingly of one of his Sportsnight pundits Jimmy Hill.
"The question I'm most often asked is "what's that Jimmy Hill really like". I tell them he is the most charming lovely man, we just don't always see eye to eye on football."
Sportsnight was launched by David Coleman in 1968 and became a massive hit.. It was compulsive viewing for legions of soccer fans.
Tony Gubba took over as host in 1973 and boxing commentator Harry Carpenter was the anchorman for 10 years from 1975.
1. Выяснилось, что Протон и нейтрон имеют почти одинаковый вес. 2. Необходимо прокладывать кабель через Атлантический океан, так как там не было никакого радио или спутников в то время. 3. Трудно представить мир, в котором живем без радио, телефона и телевидения. 4. Можно иметь непосредственный телефонный разговор с Владивостока с спутниковых систем. 5. Этот материал обладает должной связи, которые делают его полезным для различных космических проектов. 6. Следует сказать, что компьютеры становятся все более важными в нашей жизни и работе. 7. Мой советник считает необходимым для меня, чтобы прочитать столько литературы, сколько возможно, прежде чем начать мою работу. 8. Трудно перечислить все отрасли науки и техники, которые основаны на электронике. 9. Общеизвестно, что "ватт" - это единица имени Джеймс Уатт, изобретатель из Шотландии. 10. Невозможно решить многие современные сложные инженерные задачи без компьютеров.
