The rest is silence as Moore exits ITV stage

For a man who has studiously maintained his modest charm despite having spent more than 30 years as one of the nation's leading television commentators, his parting words were especially fitting.

After Brian Moore, the voice of ITV football, had paid his public thanks to those around him at the end of his final commentary in last night's World Cup Final, he concluded: "Let's face it the real news here tonight is that France are world champions."

It should come as no particular surprise that Moore, who is retiring at the age of 66, should have chosen his final words with care.

Having completed his ninth World Cup, his 31st year in TV sport, the veteran commentator has especially over more recent years shied away from the higher-decibel style of John Motson or the descriptive prose of Barry Davies.

"It's over, France are the world champions and Brazil, in not too many words, have been humiliated," he summed up succinctly as the final whistle was blown in the Stade de France.

Yet Moore, who has now finally resolved to put his family first, had clearly not lost his exuberant excitement for the game.

"Wow!" was his instantaneous reaction to one cross-shot from Brazil's Roberto Carlos which went just over the bar in the second- half.

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