Shark diver, football manager, tram driver: Bumble's best moments
Wednesday 18 March 2020 16:22, UK
Happy birthday, Bumble! To celebrate, here are seven classic David Lloyd moments - and trust me, there were plenty to choose from!
From shark diving to tram driving, from impersonations to karaoke there's little Bumble hasn't done - and what's left he'll probably try in the coming years! Full pint!
The Impersonator
Cricketer, coach, umpire, broadcaster - Bumble has done just about everything there is to do in the game giving him rare and unique insights. So when the opportunity arose to don the old white coat and have another go at officiating, Bumble was all for it - especially as it was a golden chance to get one over on Nasser Hussain!
So just how hard is umpiring - especially when you've got Bumble distracting you? Nasser was on a roll until Bumble's impression of Harry Baldwin had him in tears… He also does a mean Fred Trueman too…
The Tram Driver
Is driving a tram on your bucket list? It's not on Bumble's anymore after he fulfilled a lifetime's ambition thanks to Manchester's Metrolink. "I used to play all my career at Old Trafford and watch the trains flying past," he explains. "We used to change the bowling by the trains. It's half-past 11 - the train's just gone past - put the spinners on!"
So after passing his simulator test (despite wrongly identifying some signals) it was all aboard the Bumble Express - complete with commentary from the driver, dressed slightly dubiously. "I'm not so sure about my hat - I feel like I should be in the Village People!"
The Shark Diver
"I've got some interesting shark facts," said Bumble. "They're big and don't like us." Nevertheless after finally putting on his wetsuit the right way, he and Nasser stepped through the jaws of an aluminium cage and down into the water for a spot of shark diving off the coast of Port Lincoln, the Seafood Capitol of Eyre Peninsula South Australia.
Neither ended up on the menu despite seeing a five-metre long shark - although Bumble did need to make an impromptu visit to the dry cleaners after the trip. Crabbing at Bridlington it wasn't!
The Fisherman
Bumble - who used to have his own boat and go fishing for cod off Blackpool and Fleetwood - is never far from the water, it seems, on overseas tours (insert your own golf joke here). On this occasion, he went in search of yellowfin bream with former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor in search on the Lane Cove River, a northern tributary of the Parramatta River.
After catching several boats - yes, boats - Bumble finally found the back of the net with what some might call a tiddler. Not Bumble. "It's huge, is this - I've got very big hands."
The Football Manager
When not fishing or golfing, there's a pretty good chance you'll find Bumble at Accrington Stanley - mind you, John Coleman's job as manager is pretty safe if Lloyd's exploits are anything to go by.
Despite an inspirational team talk and the support of bullish assistant coach Nasser, Bumble's team struggled to make an impact after want-away striker Michael Vaughan turned up late - and then missed a plethora of chances including a penalty. But never write off a second-half comeback…
The Entertainer
Inspiral Carpets, the Stones, Beyonce (click here if you don't believe me)… Bumble loves his music but it was the Electric Light Orchestra that took centre stage on one sunny evening at the Ageas Bowl ahead of a Sky Live clash between Hampshire and Surrey.
Sent into the stands to interview some fans, Bumble suddenly found himself in the middle of a choreographed performance and - being Bumble - finally joined in with a highly entertaining version of Mr Blue Sky. All that fitness work is clearly paying off judging by the dance moves… Start the car!
The Bargeman
"Antonio Conte! Ancelotti! Claudio Ranieri! Dilly ding, dilly dong!" Bumble was back in voce piena in Venice in 2018 - well, more accurately, to Little Venice on his way to Lord's.
Having spotted a barge that looked very much as though it was named after former England quick Gladstone Small, Bumble set off through London's canals.
Along the way he reminisced about all the famous names from history who might have lived around Venice: Pablo Picasso, Da Vinci ("before he cracked that code, I bet!")
