"Even in moments of tranquility, Murray Walker sounds like a man whose trousers are on fire"

Clive James crafts a vivid and entertaining portrayal of Murray Walker, the legendary Formula One commentator, capturing not just how Walker sounded but the intensity and excitement he brought to his broadcasts. The imagery of someone whose trousers are on fire conjures both urgency and hilarity, an irrepressible energy that's impossible to ignore. Even during calm, uneventful stretches of a Formula One race, what James calls "moments of tranquility", Walker's commentary never settled into languor. Instead, it buzzed with an undertone of anticipation, as though the next thrilling event was always seconds away.

For a professional like Walker, whose role was to narrate the complex unfolding of a high-speed sport, this relentless enthusiasm didn't simply fill airspace; it elevated the viewer's experience. James's wry comparison suggests that Walker's excitement was not just occasional or reserved for dramatic moments, it was his permanent state. The "trousers on fire" metaphor also hints at a touch of chaos, as if Walker himself was chasing the action as breathlessly as the drivers he described. There’s a self-deprecating humor here too, acknowledging the famously gaffe-prone side of Walker's commentary, always delivered at full tilt and sometimes tumbling over itself.

This style was part of Walker's charm. Rather than sticking to measured tones or composed analysis, he conveyed a contagious sense of thrill, drawing viewers into the drama no matter how sedate or frantic the track action was. The phrase underscores how Walker’s personality, animated, passionate, uncontainable, infused even the quietest moments with suspense. James, known for his wit, manages to celebrate Walker’s unique contribution while painting a portrait of a man whose voice never rested, always aflame with excitement for the sport he so dearly loved.