Tributes have been paid to “well-loved” Dale Winton after his death aged 62.
The TV stalwart was a firm fixture on the box, hosting Supermarket Sweep, Touch The Truck and the National Lottery game show In It To Win It.
Kate Phillips, controller of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, said: “Dale was an immensely well-loved individual who brought a wonderfully unique and special energy to the many programmes he presented over the years.
“He was extremely kind, brilliantly funny and was a true gentleman.
“It is incredibly sad news that he is no longer with us.
“All our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”
His death prompted a range of TV stars to share their memories of, and tributes to, Winton.
Davina McCall said on Twitter: “I am so so so sad to hear about Dale Winton a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty ! RIP.”
I am so so so sad to hear about Dale Winton 💔 a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty ! RIP 🙏🏻
— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) April 18, 2018
Other celebrities who posted messages expressing their condolences included Boy George, Kate Thornton, Nick Knowles and Nell McAndrew.
TV presenter Thornton wrote: “Sleep tight #DaleWinton. Always such a gent, such a laugh and such a pro. Taken way too soon”
Sleep tight #DaleWinton. Always such a gent, such a laugh and such a pro. Taken way too soon 😞
— Kate Thornton (@k8_thornton) April 18, 2018
Singer Julian Clary wrote: “Terribly sad to hear the lovely Dale Winton has died. Kind, sweet, truthful man.”
While Nick Knowles, who worked with Winton, added: “Lovely man. Kind & mischievous, generous & a great story teller. Same production crew for In it & Who Dares. We’ll all miss him.”
Nell McAndrew, who married Winton in a BBC3 spoof, posted a picture of the couple on their happy day.
She wrote: “Dale Winton was always warm and kind. Special memories of a lovely man, often bumped in to each other in the supermarket or on the high street as neighbours before sharing an extra special day together for our ‘wedding’
“Thoughts with his family and friends. Lovely, handsome kind man.”
TV star Paddy McGuinness said Winton was “the perfect host”.
“Sad news,” he said on Twitter. “Back in the day Supermarket Sweep was the programme to watch.
Sad news. Back in the day Supermarket Sweep was the programme to watch. Dale Winton was the perfect host, he made it all look effortless. RIP pic.twitter.com/RW5r3qDs9N
— Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) April 18, 2018
“Dale Winton was the perfect host, he made it all look effortless. RIP.”