Ex-England batsman turned commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd paid a visit to Sidmouth, seeing queues out the door at his latest book signing.
David Lloyd, affectionately known as ‘Bumble’ due to his apparent resemblance of the characters in the 1954 TV show The Bumblies, visited Paragon Books on Tuesday to sign copies of his new book, Around the World in 80 Pints.
Speaking about his latest book, David told the Herald: “I’ve done about six now and they’re not too heavy.
“Tales of derring-do. Out and about at cricket matches, either at home or travelling around the world. Getting up to all sorts of escapades, just generally having a bit of fun.”
The queue to meet David was out of the door at the venue, in Sidmouth High Street, and the Lancastrian faced the audience with his typical chipper style.
David also received a painting from local artist George Hutchinson as a special memento of Sidmouth.
The Sky Sports commentator has been visiting the area recently and treated his Twitter followers to photos of Sidmouth and Beer beach.
David also visited Fortfield and said the ground was one of his favourites in the country.
He said: “I noticed in the window here [Paragon Books] there’s a book in the window about village cricket grounds, I thought it’s bound to be in there. You’ve got some lovely grounds.”
“I’m all for little cricket grounds. The big grounds, well they’re corporate grounds.”
His role as a commentator has seen David travel across the world following the England Cricket team and he says New Zealand is his favourite destination.
David said: “My favourite place is New Zealand, by a mile. It’s the lifestyle.
“They wake up at six o’clock. They’re abseiling, they’re rock climbing, they’re running, they’re jogging, they’re swimming. It’s fantastic. It’s a great place.”
David also expressed his hope of one day returning to Pakistan.
He added: “I want to go back to Pakistan. I’ve been there a few times. It’s just raw. Markets, you could spend all day there. You’ll walk into an elephant.
“There’ll be a café with a flickering TV in the corner but 50 people are in there watching cricket. They love it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here