I was driving to Millwall when the call came on Saturday. It was the usual formation of Craig talking about his career in the front and Owen in the back trying not to fall asleep in a strange position. We had literally been talking about Colin moments earlier, about his life and funnier moments in his illustrious but short radio career. We talked about him, the man who had an unassuming ability to be hilarious without trying.

Rachael, my boss, called Craig and then you knew he was either in trouble or that moment had come. No matter how long you have to come to terms with something inevitable, it still scoops you out when you receive the news. Arriving at The Den I was embraced by an emotional Debbie, a Rams fan and autograph hunter who we see with her other half Roger at every away game.

Tributes to Colin began and my colleague Aleena Naylor showed enormous strength to deliver the news and host two hours ahead of our turn. Positivity and good humour flowed with sadness as you called to share your stories of Colin. Owen and I talked about our memories of working with Bloomers. At Bournemouth last season when Colin was in for Owen the elements intervened during my commentary. ‘A gust of wind very nearly took out the woman with long blonde hair in front along with my papers,’ Colin said. ‘Thing is, Colin, that woman has a beard and it’s a man’ I added. We all fell about uncontrollably as the man was in earshot.

In the days following Colin’s death we’ve heard a lot of his best bits on air. We’ve heard his dynamic interviewing style, his dog with a bone questioning of anyone fortunate to be sat in front of him and his random silliness. About twenty-five of us went to bingo and somehow Colin ended up on stage. He called a few games and before you knew it Colin was getting it wrong, bang wrong. To be fair, he called the numbers right but the quirky sayings that go with it were confused. There was no ‘clickety click’ but more of a ‘six and six… 66!!’ Then House was called and Colin shouts ‘We have a winner of a house!’

We travelled some long hard miles together watching Derby County home and away. Roger and me roped into playing his ‘predict the scores’ game in which he’d take a pound off us and then win the game! Colin was a great commentator. He demonstrated that at the City Ground when the winner was scored by ‘Craig Bryson in front of four thousand Derby supporters’ who were going berserk.  Behind enemy lines all we could do was channel our emotion through Colin’s words. Jeff Hendrick scored with ten men a year before. ‘You little beauty’ was Colin’s immortal line. His final Rams commentary was a 5-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup. Getting the big moments right is key for the commentator and Colin’s lines stick with all of us.

We are a close bunch here at BBC Radio Derby and Colin’s passing has hit us all hard. Not a bad word has ever been uttered about such a genuine person. Your support has been overwhelming. Thank you.

xxxx

I was on the beach in Tenby in July 2013 when I received a text from Colin. It was shattering, standing in a public place reading this text about a friend. In Colin’s way it was worded as a bit of a blow, a challenge ahead and that he’d be taking his friends with him on his journey.

As part of the BBC Radio Derby Sports Team we’d done a lot of miles together covering Derby County and those away trips with Colin and Roger opened up a lot of discussions. Roger told us about his past, I gave directions and Colin kept us entertained with his predict-a-score game - which he always won! I remember clear as day him telling me about his brush with cancer when he was younger and that he was going to have the same area tested again.   

So Colin being Colin carries on as Colin. I took my son Oliver to see him in rural Shropshire after his first operation. Colin said, ‘Do you want to see my scars?’ Erm, yes ok. Colin talked me through everything he can remember before losing consciousness in theatre.  From then on as a team we have been with Colin all the way and several of us have made that trip to Shropshire.

‘I couldn’t do it’ is one of the stock phrases us humans use when we admire somebody for their bravery. So many people say that to me when I get asked about how Colin is doing. I was apprehensive when I took over the commentary from him and it quickly became apparent how much Colin is loved by Rams fans. I was asked weekly and I still am about how he’s getting on.

BBC Radio Derby has launched The Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal. Presenter Sally Pepper said she would do the London Marathon in aid of the appeal, so with that in mind I started to think about something I can do to raise money. I can run although I haven’t since last year’s Derby 10k but with a bit of training again I would be back up to speed. It’s too late for the marathon.

I thought – ‘What do I love and what do I enjoy?’ After a while I thought – ‘The wife!’ But instead I opted for giving up alcohol. Not for ‘dry January’ but for the whole of 2015. I’ll admit I had become dependent on my evening glass of red. As many will know - once it’s opened, it’s a shame to waste it.

So I declared my intentions and now I’m well on my way. I feel great but my comedown option after a match is now an alcohol-free beer. It’s not the same.

We’re working together with the Derby Telegraph and a charity called ‘Skcin’ who specialise in skin cancer prevention. You can donate online to the appeal by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/radioderby and following the link at the bottom of the page. Or send a cheque payable to the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal to PO Box 8185, Ripley, DE5 4BT.  If you’re a tax payer then have a look in the Derby Telegraph – there’s a voucher you can fill in and include with your cheque which means the charity can reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. 

Colin is a strong, confident individual who is much loved by all. That was evident from the two standing ovations he got at the Radio Derby pantomime.

One thing’s for sure. The time for Colin’s friends to get up and start doing is now.