Henry Blofeld has declared he is leaving the country because London has become "horribly violent".
The legendary cricket commentator, who retired last summer, said he plans to swap Chelsea for Menorca at the end of the year.
The 78-year-old, known as Blowers, told the Daily Telegraph a friend of his had been stabbed and added “you don't see too many Englishmen where I live".
He said: "I've sort of become a bit bored of Chelsea after 60 years, though I'll be back a lot.
"I don't like it (London) any more. I think it's become, not exactly dangerous, but it is horribly violent isn't it?
"I had a friend who was knifed from one of those mopeds, and you don't see too many Englishmen where I live."
He added that he felt London had "lost its village atmosphere and charm", and that Menorca had a good climate, good friends and a "marvellous little cricket club".
Mr Blofeld hung up the microphone after serving as part of the BBC Radio's Test Match Special team for 45 years.
His unmistakable style and offbeat references to everything from pigeons to cakes made him one of cricket's most recognisable voices over the airwaves for nearly half a century.
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