Cliff Michelmore, who was one of BBC television and radio's leading figures for decades, has died aged 96.
Today presenter John Humphrys said this morning: "I was in awe of him. He was so charming and affable."
Six weeks ago Michelmore was still driving himself to Waitrose to do his shopping and the day before his death he was said to be sat up in bed reading the newspaper and discussing the EU referendum.
The prolific presenter, who anchored coverage of the Apollo moon landings and several general elections, was best known as the long-running presenter of BBC magazine programme Tonight.
Related
BBC director-general Tony Hall led tributes to the "outstanding broadcaster", who was likeable to audiences yet possessed the skill to carry out hard-hitting interviews and hold his nerve while covering events of great historical importance.
Michelmore, whose broadcasting career began in the Second World War, was made a CBE in 1969.
He died at Petersfield Hospital in Hampshire after being admitted last week, his son told the BBC.
Content from our partners
Lord Hall said the former RAF squadron leader was "a national figure at a time when there were just two channels".
He added: "I still remember as a boy watching Cliff Michelmore presenting Tonight live five times a week in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
"He was natural, warm, engaging – he was utterly himself and showed he was one of us. His personal approach recast the role of the TV presenter at the BBC and he was loved by audiences for it."
In a 2013 interview, Sir Michael Parkinson ranked Michelmore with broadcasting greats Sir David Frost and Alan Whicker and hailed the standards their generation set in broadcasting.
ITV news anchor Alastair Stewart described Michelmore as a "truly great presenter and a delightful man".
He is pictured above outside Broadcasting House in London after the announcement of his engagement to Jean Metcalfe.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
