Legendary sports broadcaster Steve Rider has revealed his plans to “sidle away” from television this summer, marking the end of an illustrious career that has spanned nearly 50 years on screen.

The 74-year-old is perhaps best known for hosting the iconic BBC sports show Grandstand, where he covered a wide range of sports including rugby, golf, rowing and motorsport. He also presented Sportsnight and Sports Personality of the Year, and was the anchor for the corporation’s coverage of every Olympic Games between 1988 and 2004.

However, in 2005, Rider left the BBC and returned to ITV, where he had originally got his big break 25 years earlier. Since then, he has remained with the broadcaster, presenting coverage of Formula One and World Cups in both rugby and football, as well as hosting the British Touring Car Championship for the past 16 years.

It is in this role that he will conclude his 48-year broadcasting career this summer. The legendary presenter anticipates a low-key departure when his final job in front of the camera arrives in June.