An emotional Jake Humphrey struggled to get his words out while paying tribute to Eddie Jordan live on the radio. Jordan passed away on Thursday at the age of 76 following a battle with prostate and bladder cancer.
The charismatic Irishman is an icon of Formula 1, having founded his own team before moving into the media to become an outspoken and well-respected pundit.
Humphrey worked alongside Jordan and former F1 driver David Coulthard on the BBC’s coverage of the sport between 2009 and 2012. The presenter became a close friend of Jordan through their work together and was among those who explained his importance to their lives after his sad death.
“He won races, which was remarkable, but more important than that, he won hearts,” Humphrey said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “I remember when I left F1, a lot of people questioned why I left the BBC to join BT Sport, and I’ll never forget he pulled me to one side and said, ‘I know why you’re doing this, you want to be with your kids’.
“My wife was pregnant at the time, and I said, ‘You’re absolutely right’. He was the only person in F1 that knew I was walking away to be with my family.”
With the emotional cracking in his voice, Humphrey then went on to recount a text message he had sent Jordan. “I recently went to an F1 race and I text him after saying, ‘The sound, the smell, and the heat today’ – I was in Austin, ‘Reminded me of our days together travelling the world.
“I love you brother. Those were the greatest four years of my career and the impact you had on me was massive. My ambition and drive came from seeing what you did and how you did it.
“’Most importantly you were the person who made me truly realise that it’s family first every time. F1 is full of lost souls, but the way Marie and the kids were always with you was as special as it is rare’.”
Humphrey also wrote some words about Jordan on Instagram, posting them alongside a selection of photos and videos of their time together. “His greatest achievements were Mikki, Zoe, Kyle and Zak. His incredible 4 kids who share his spirit. His wife Marie is one of the strongest, most wonderful women I have ever met,” he wrote.
“The 4 years we spent together hosting F1 on the BBC were the greatest of my career. Wing-walking, scooter riding, car driving madness that I know he loved deeply.
“His incredible spirit and love of life lives on in me, and my children who were lucky enough to meet him and hear all about him.
“Eddie lit up a room whenever he entered it. That is a lesson for us all – be the light in the room. I was lucky enough to share one final, cherished meal with him and his boys a few months ago. It was special. We talked about me doing one final interview with him. Sadly that will never happen.
“As I left his final words were ‘I love you brother’ One of the 3 Amigos is gone. The world seems a little less bright this morning.”
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