- The former cricket star is now one of the best behind the microphone
- She has been greatly affected by the death of her good friend Jacob Walker.
Isa Guha was devastated by the death of her old friend Jacob Walker, who passed away at the age of just 39 after having had a huge impact on her life when her career as a cricket commentator was in its infancy.
The BBC and Fox Sports star took to Instagram on Tuesday to mourn Walker as a “beautiful soul” after first working with the television producer and director in 2015.
“There are people who come into your life who can have a huge impact,” Guha wrote of Walker, who died after a long battle with brain cancer.
‘Jacob was a beautiful soul. I first met him in 2015 – we worked on the Cricket World Cup for ESPN. He was my director and we were learning together.
“In broadcasting, it’s amazing when you find the sync with your director and he was absolutely the calm, confident person in my ear at that moment.
‘He was a great player in making the WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) what it was and worked in cricket and tennis with a number of different broadcasters.
Isa Guha (pictured) has paid an emotional tribute to Australian television producer and director Jacob Walker following his tragic death from brain cancer.
The cricket star turned TV commentator said Walker (pictured) was a “beautiful soul” who had “such a big impact” on his life.
‘Calm and confident directors are golden and he was the security I always needed.
‘But he also knew the battles he faced. In 2015 he had brain cancer – he fought so hard and for so long.
“Calm, beautiful and kind is how I will remember him.”
Walker recalled his first meeting with Guha in a post he made on X in July 2021, sharing a photo of them along with cricket legends Ian Chappell, Agit Agarkar and Michael Holding while covering that year’s Cricket World Cup.
‘A good friend sent me this today as a “cheer up”. “A flashback to an incredible @ICC CWC in 2015 for @ESPN,” he wrote.
‘It’s a great honor to work alongside Michael Holding, Ian Chappell, @isaguha and @imAgarkar. “Not just cricket, but life lessons and perspectives.”
Guha responded to that post with: ‘I miss you Jacob! He remains a strong legend.”
Elsewhere on his X timeline, Walker posted a throwback photo showing him being treated at a Melbourne hospital along with the caption: “The Royal Children’s Hospital saved my life in ’88, 02, 03.” An incredible place for four decades.’
He also shared photos and videos showing him with his young son and daughter, along with an update on how his cancer treatment was going in June 2020.
Pictured: A post Walker (back, second from right) made about X in reference to when he and Guha (bottom right) first worked together at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Guha’s response to the post showed the strong bond the couple shared.
The Fox Sports and BBC commentator described her friend as ‘calm, beautiful and kind’
‘Two surgeries, recent radiotherapy and now the big one: CHEMIO. 6-12 months (cycles) ahead with my thoughts of rebuilding where I belong. It starts next Friday. Let’s go look for it,’ he wrote.
In March 2019, he posted a video from his hospital bed after major head surgery, telling his followers: “Two days after surgery.” I just wanted to reach out to everyone and say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your messages, your love, support and prayers.
This has been a bit of a difficult period. “This surgery has caused me a few more problems than before… I have a little bit of internal bleeding and I’m taking a lot of medication just to control it,” he said.
‘I am so grateful when I check social media and every time I turn on my phone I have so many messages of support. “I love you all and I can’t wait to get back from here and get on with my life.”
Walker became a Cancer Council ambassador after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was just 28 and underwent a five-hour operation that failed to remove all the cancerous tissue.
He reacted to that news by setting a goal of running the New York Marathon just eight months after surgery, and he lived that dream in November 2015.