BBC's Mark Chapman in heartwrenching on-air tribute to John Hunt after Bushey murders

Mark Chapman paid an emotional tribute to his BBC colleague John Hunt ahead of England's match with the Netherlands.

The sports commentator was back on BBC Radio 5 Live last as he geared up for the Euro 2024 semi-final but before he began his commentary, Mark halted his show to react to the deaths of John Hunt's family, the Mirror reports. John's wife and two daughters were murdered in a horrific crossbow attack.

Opening the show, Mark said: "Good evening from Germany, we have a football match to bring you tonight and we will do and we will start our build-up to it shortly. Today has been a heart-breaking day."

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"John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5live sport team but to all of those who worked here with him for the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his commentaries."

He added, with his voice breaking: "And so, on behalf of everyone connected to 5Live sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family."

The racing commentator received an outpouring of support this Wednesday from his colleagues on the Beeb after it was revealed his wife Carol, 61, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, had been found fatally injured in their Bushey, Hertfordshire, home this Tuesday (July 9) in the evening.

John is said to have been working for the BBC on Tuesday and may have raised the alarm when he returned home at around 7pm. The broadcaster's 61-year-old wife Carol has been named locally, with Hertfordshire Police revealing at a press conference Wednesday afternoon that the two other victims were her daughters.

A man named Kyle Clifford, 26, was suspected of the attack due to his history with John and Carol's youngest daughter Louise. He was found by armed police in a cemetery in Enfield, north London, where he was treated for injuries.

Louise was said to have been in a relationship with Kyle Clifford. In the weeks before the triple murder, dog grooming business owner Louise had reportedly been dealing with the painful aftermath of a break-up.

The BBC issued a statement after the tragedy, as part of a note sent to BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, describing it as "utterly devastating".

The note read: "The news today about John Hunt's family is utterly devastating. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can."