Presenter Tony Gubba dies aged 69 (From Salisbury Journal)

Presenter Tony Gubba dies aged 69

2:27pm Monday 11th March 2013 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Sports presenter Tony Gubba, known to millions of viewers as the voice of Dancing On Ice, has died at the age of 69.

His death - after a short illness - was announced by his family, just hours after the final of the ITV celebrity ice dancing contest.

Tony spent much of his TV career working for the BBC, as a commentator and presenter for Saturday sports show Grandstand as well as the midweek sports show Sportsnight.

Dancing On Ice presenter Phillip Schofield was among those who paid tribute.

"We were all aware how poorly he was but this is very sudden and is a dreadful to everyone who knew and loved him," he said. "A genuinely delightful, kind, dedicated and talented man."

Phillip, who said he was speaking with the "saddest of hearts", went on: "All my love and condolences to his family. I'm so glad I had the privilege of working with him and getting to know him. All of us at Dancing On Ice will miss him terribly."

Dancing On Ice stars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean spoke of their sadness as they paid tribute.

In a joint statement, they said: "Tony was a dear friend, a wonderful man and much loved by all. It's been an absolute pleasure to work with him over the last eight years, he was always so professional and brought a real sense of fun to Dancing On Ice. We will miss him greatly and our hearts go out to his family at this sad time."

Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker was also among those who said he was saddened to hear of the presenter's death, writing on Twitter: "Deeply saddened to hear that Tony Gubba has passed away. One of the great voices of football who graced Match Of The Day for so many years."

The presenter has two daughters, Claire, 40, and Libby, 38 and three granddaughters, and had been with his partner for 15 years.