It was just another Thursday night. People were looking forward to another episode of Fortitude (if not, they should have been). Then a bombshell hit. A devastatingly handsome bombshell. Referee Steve Walsh has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect at the age of 43. Walsh will now pursue business interests outside rugby that will require more time commitment.
Dear fans...I know this is a shock but it's time I concentrate on being a full time #Dreamboat and be #Glorious each and every day #Thanks
— Steve Walsh's Hair (@SteveWalshsHair) March 19, 2015
I think one of the hardest things is that I may never share a pitch with @AdamCoopy again #teamhandsom#dreamboatpic.twitter.com/72EDoDhN2w
— Steve Walsh's Hair (@SteveWalshsHair) March 20, 2015
It's immediately clear that Walsh's business commitments have nothing to do with L'Oreal whose stock is expected to take a huge hit without the 90 second pauses in TV coverage as audiences worldwide lost themselves in Walsh's glorious hair. Twitter was understandably distraught at the news, as you can see twitter loves Steve Walsh:
I'm just glad I sold my L'Oreal stock yesterday. #SteveWalsh
— Killian Byrne (@killianbyrne) March 19, 2015
@SteveWalshsHair I'll miss your obligatory 90 second TMO pause in each match where you turned to big screen & stroked your hair #SteveWalsh — Catherine Kavanagh (@KavanaghCk) March 19, 2015
Some wondered what those business interests actually were:
@Planet_Rugby Maybe Steve Walsh has quit to become the new host of @BBC_TopGear. @JeremyClarkson #TopGear — Michael Lynagh (@LynaghMichael) March 20, 2015
There were some outstanding tributes:
Coming soon to dvd "Steve looking at steve" steve walsh selects his best moments on tmo replays #stevewalshpic.twitter.com/CW1Oz6RcKX — An swing of the Axel (@Kingof_Munster) March 19, 2015
One last time. For Steve. A flawed beauty. #iminaglasscageofemotion pic.twitter.com/YJ1pYfqhOO
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) March 20, 2015
And the real reason for the darkness this morning:
Much like today's eclipse, Steve Walsh's retirement will throw us into darkness. WHY, STEVE?! WE HAD A GOOD THING GOING
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) March 20, 2015
Twitter users were together as one on this:
Brian O'Driscoll retiring was the only other time that so many avatars in my timeline were this synchronised #SteveWalsh #Mate
— Ronan Murphy (@Ro_Murph) March 20, 2015
Mate just called Steve Walsh "the dreamy dispenser of justice" & I can do no better. rugby will be duller without him #we'llalwayshaveparis
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) March 19, 2015
At least we'll have this epic video to remember him by:
Folks, dry your eyes and just remember him this way https://t.co/jYFJ8Gpyrh via @rmkf #mate #dreamboat #SteveWalshShow
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) March 20, 2015
Photo Credit Stephen McCarthy/ Sportsfile
