Former Grandstand presenter Frank Bough has died at the age of 87.
The death of the BBC star at a care home last Wednesday was announced by a family friend.
The veteran broadcaster was a household name in the 1960s through to the 1980s when he presented the weekly sports show Grandstand on BBC One.
He also hosted Nationwide and launched the BBC’s daily morning show Breakfast Time in 1983. A keen sporting broadcaster, he anchored six World Cups, six Olympics and at least a dozen Five Nations championships for the BBC.
He quit Breakfast Time in 1987 after becoming fed up with the early starts and became the face of the Holiday programme.
The presenter – who had a wholesome family-man image – was sacked by the BBC in 1988 after tabloid revelations about him attending sex and drugs parties.
He eventually returned to broadcasting, including fronting ITV’s Rugby World Cup coverage, but this came to an end after a further scandal.
He later spoke of his regret over his actions, saying his behaviour had been “exceedingly stupid”.
The presenter said of the scandal: “It was a brief but appalling period in my life. Don’t condemn my entire career for a brief episode I regret.”
Following the news of his death, tributes have been pouring in on Twitter…
A BBC spokesperson said: “Frank excelled as a live presenter with the BBC for many years and we are very sorry to hear of his passing. We send our condolences to his family and friends.”