Sir Geoffrey Boycott is one of England's greatest ever cricketers. From extremely humble beginnings in the terraced streets of the Yorkshire mining village of Fitzwilliam, he went on to play 108 Test matches for England, becoming the leading Test run scorer in the world and one of the game’s all-time greats.
Now 85, and following a second brilliant career as a broadcaster - most notably on the BBC's Test Match Special and in India for Ten Sports - Sir Geoffrey is seriously ill. Diagnosed with throat cancer for the second time in July 2024, he is facing perhaps his greatest battle yet.
The Telegraph's chief cricket correspondent, Nick Hoult, has had the privilege of getting to know Sir Geoffrey very well over the last two decades in his role as one of our esteemed cricket columnists, and he was recently invited to spend twenty four hours with him at his home in Cheshire.
One of the game's most colourful, and at times controversial, characters; this new four-part special podcast series is Sir Geoffrey Boycott’s life in his own words.
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In this final episode, Nick Hoult speaks to Sir Geoffrey about his incredible second career as a broadcaster with the BBC and in India, the keys to being a good commentator and his relationship with Jonathan Agnew.
Geoffrey also reveals how he believes feng shui helped him beat throat cancer for the first time, how he's dealing with his second battle with the disease - a battle which has left him unable to eat solid foods - and how he wants to be remembered.
Presenter: Nick Hoult
Producer: John Cadigan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Sport Features Editor: Jake Goodwill
Head of Sport: Julian Bennetts
Music by John Cadigan
Highlights:
Why he could've carried on when the BBC dropped him from TMS in 2020
How he's facing up to a second battle with throat cancer
His hope to be remembered fondly, despite admitting that some still dislike him
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Aug 2026
Episode 3: The art of batting and why Bazball was "crap"
In episode three, Nick Hoult speaks to Sir Geoffrey about the art of batting, how modern cricket differs to his playing days, and what he makes of the current England side - as he reveals that Harry Brook's uncle asked him to help his nephew, but the England batsman never called.
Sir Geoffrey also remembers some of the great characters he played with and against, including Sir Ian Botham and Michael Holding, and recalls his favourite England match: the remarkable 1981 Ashes win at Headingley.
There are also recollections of an unlikely friendship with Brian Clough, with the two having become close whilst he managed Derby County.
Presenter: Nick Hoult
Producer: John Cadigan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Sport Features Editor: Jake Goodwill
Head of Sport: Julian Bennetts
Music by John Cadigan
Highlights:
Why Ian Botham's 1981 Headingley heroics were his favourite moment
On "crap" England's missed chance to beat Australia in the Ashes last winter
How Harry Brook's uncle asked for his help, but the England batsman never called
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Aug 2026
Episode 2: England fallouts and one hundred hundreds
Sir Geoffrey reflects on life as an international cricketer, his favourite touring destinations, and amazing England wins against Australia, South Africa, India and the West Indies.
He also remembers two turbulent periods of his career: being dropped for slow scoring in 1967, and his self-imposed exile from the England team from 1974-1977.
And he recalls a remarkable return to the side in 1977 aged 36, which saw him score his hundredth hundred - at his home ground of Headingley, against Australia.
Presenter: Nick Hoult
Producer: John Cadigan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Sport Features Editor: Jake Goodwill
Head of Sport: Julian Bennetts
Music by John Cadigan
Highlights:
Favourite touring destinations
Being dropped for slow scoring and self-imposed England exile
One hundredth hundred in his comeback series
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Aug 2026
Episode 1: From post-war Yorkshire to England opener
In this, the first episode of Geoffrey Boycott: An Extraordinary Innings, we chart the England and Yorkshire legend's rise from the post-war terraced streets of Fitzwilliam to making his debut for this country against Australia, aged just 23.
Sir Geoffrey recounts playing cricket under gaslight with ambitions of representing Yorkshire, his childhood friendship with Michael Parkinson and Dickie Bird, and giving up his career in the civil service in order to play the game full-time.
Presenter: Nick Hoult
Producer: John Cadigan
Commissioning Editor: Louisa Wells
Sport Features Editor: Jake Goodwill
Head of Sport: Julian Bennetts
Music by John Cadigan
Highlights:
Growing up on the terraced streets of Fitzwilliam
Childhood friendship with Michael Parkinson
Making his England debut aged 23
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 Aug 2026
Coming soon... Geoffrey Boycott: An Extraordinary Innings
One of the game's most colourful, and at times controversial, characters; this new four-part special podcast series is Sir Geoffrey Boycott’s life in his own words. Coming 15th August.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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7 ratings
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