'It's like he was getting strangled': Gary Neville's commentary colleague blames him for 'spoiling my moment of fame' with his 'unnatural' noises on the mic when Chelsea beat Barcelona

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By CIARAN FOREMAN, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 16:16 GMT, 25 November 2025 | Updated: 16:59 GMT, 25 November 2025

Commentator Alan Parry has blamed Gary Neville for ruining his 'moment of fame' by letting out an extraordinary noise during one of the most dramatic moments in Champions League history.

Parry was sat in the gantry of the Nou Camp with Neville to watch Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea face a Barcelona side at the peak of their powers and widely regarded as one of the best teams of all time.

Chelsea had gone into the semi-final against Pep Guardiola's men with a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, but found themselves 2-0 down after 43 minutes - a misery compounded by John Terry's red card between the two goals.

But in astonishing fashion, the Blues clawed their way back into the game thanks to a delightful chipped finish by Brazilian midfielder Ramires on the stroke of half time. It gave them a fighting chance to hold on into the second half, but not much more.

Against the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi - who hit the bar with a penalty - Chelsea somehow held on and their much maligned striker Fernando Torres found himself one-on-one with Victor Valder in injury time.

As Torres rounded the Barca stopper and tapped the ball home, Parry gripped his microphone and looked to seize his own moment of football folklore. 'This could be the most dramatic story of the season,' he said. 'It's Torres to give Chelsea a place in the Champions League Final.... the headline has been written.'

Fernando Torres' injury-time finish was one of the most dramatic in Champions League history

Commentator Alan Parry had hoped to have his own 'iconic moment' in the gantry for the goal

But while Parry was rhyming off what he hoped would be his 'iconic moment', the fans at home were greeted with the most extraordinary - and now infamous - sound of Neville moaning into the microphone at various octaves.

The former Manchester United defender then exclaimed: 'Unbelievable!'

Parry, now 77 years old and reflecting on his career in the gantry, wishes he could have claimed that moment in Barcelona to himself as he aimed a pointed jibe towards Neville.

The commentator was on air for around 50 years during his career and says he wanted to have a line like Kenneth Wolstenholme's 'they think it's all over, it is now' of his own.

'So I thought, well, maybe, with Torres, this was my moment,' Parry told The Times. 'And Gary bloody Neville spoilt my moment of fame.'

Neville was in his early days as a pundit having only retired from football in 2011. He has now gone on to become one of the game's most well-known and popular commentators.

But while he was new to the scene, Parry, who is from Liverpool, recalled trying to break the ice with the United legend with a joke about the famous rivalry between their two cities. 

The commentator said: 'I said, "Gary, I'm Alan Parry. I know you hate Scousers. I'm not fond of the Mancs either. But we've got to work together, so shake hands." And then he goes and ruins my moment of fame. It's like he was getting strangled. 

Gary Neville let out an astonishing and infamous moan at various octaves when Torres scored

'He knows his stuff, of course he does. But I think he forgets that he's got the microphone in his hand. And if you're going to express some emotion, just lift the microphone away from you. It was such an unnatural sound, wasn't it?'

Parry admitted he may still return to the gantry to commentate on one more match before he hangs up the microphone, and quipped: 'As long as I haven't got Gary Neville beside me that'll be fine.'

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