After 40 years as the ‘voice of the shows’, due to ill health, Mike Keeble is hanging up his microphone. Across the North of England in a 40-day season lasting from May to September his dulcet tones and warm anecdotes are as much a part of the show day as are the sheep, horses, and cattle.

If it wasn't for Adolph Hitler, Mike would probably still live in London; fearful of the looming war, his mother moved the family away from the capital to rural Hertfordshire. This was the place he formed his lifetime love of the countryside.

In the 1970s as a farmer in High Burton North Yorkshire, Mike was heavily involved in the cattle business and became a show commentator due to the effects of strong drink.

He explained: “ Then, show commentaries were done by two journalists who liked a drink or two.

“One day an exasperated steward asked if I would take over as the pair seemed to have had one too many.

“The next thing I was asked to do a three-day event and it grew from there. “

Quickly learning the art, by 1975 he was a fully-fledged show commentator and being paid for his work. That same year in a connection spanning four decades he was invited to take over commentary in the beef ring at the Great Yorkshire Show; this became known as Keeble’s Ring.

As you would expect he takes the job seriously, which once got him the sack. He recalled: “ At a show in the Northwest, a steward kept coming on the microphone, so I said to him ‘Am I doing it , or are you?’ They didn’t ask me back.”

Long experience has taught him things don’t always go to plan; poor stewarding often means he has to talk for long periods whilst the organisers get their act together.

Recalling a time at the Wensleydale Show, when things didn’t go smoothly. He said: “I was approached by a chap wanting to demonstrate sheepdogs and advised him that he’d be better off using ducks instead of sheep.

“However on show day it was quite breezy, he started his demonstration with a dozen ducks, the wind blew, they flapped their wings and vanished.“

Aware many visitors are from urban centres Mike can't resist being slightly controversial. He said: “ Town people don't want to know the minor details, I can tell them enough.

“Many of the farmers who run shows don't realise it is a huge opportunity to promote British food."

Surprisingly, his favourite show was the Royal Show in Warwickshire, which folded in 2009. He said:” Oddly, over the years, as the commentary person I am never introduced. The exception was the Countess of Wessex, I met her when she was President during the Royal Show’s last year; I saw her later and she remembered me.”

Whilst in the USA he was once invited to take charge of a cowboy show in Montana and has taken the microphone on several occasions at the Paris Show. He is often recognised by the public, which he enjoys.

His radical view on farming comes into play again when asked why some shows are no longer popular. He retorts:” Shows have altered a lot since the 1970s; cattle breeds have changed for example.

“I don't like the motorbikes and somehow many shows have become dominated by dogs and horses and lost their agricultural content of sheep and pigs.”

Mike has also done television, radio work, countless voice-overs, commercial videos and educational days for young people. He has written several books; with two on the go currently and will continue to pen his monthly column for the Northern Farmer. With a family of two daughters, a son, and 10 grandchildren, there is no talk of retirement.

This year he was given a fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Society at the House of Lords.

Having retired from farming three years ago, the decision to stop commentating was an enforced one. Having been ill for some time, last August it was explained he needed chemotherapy to treat his prostate cancer. He therefore fulfilled all his obligations finishing off with the Masham Sheep Fair, then wrote letters to the shows explaining his decision.

His wife and number one fan, Peta thinks he is fantastic and does not know who is going to replace him.

According to Mike the qualities needed for the job are simple; he explains: “ I know about people, even if I don’t know them personally.

“ I don't read-up or phone anybody for research; fluency and the ability to absorb material along with knowledge of the animals are very important.”

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire and a breeder of Wensleydale Sheep said: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike for a very long time and have listened in awe to him commentating at shows for more than 25 years.

“His encyclopaedic knowledge of livestock and countryside matters is second to none but it is his ability to explain eloquently to the visiting show public which is his greatest gift.”