Tony Soper, wildlife presenter and BBC Natural History Unit co-founder, has died aged 95.
The TV veteran, known for shows like Birdwatch and Beside the Sea, passed away on Wednesday.
Lorraine Kelly led tributes, saying: "On one of my very first shows presenting on TVam, this wonderful kind man came on to talk about his book on owls. He was a joy and a delight."
Wildlife presenter Stephen Moss added: "Very sad news - Tony Soper was a huge influence on generations of birders and broadcasters."
Soper joined the BBC at 17, rising from "youth-in-training" to radio producer before his TV break in 1954.
He helped establish the Natural History Unit and debuted on Animal Magic with Johnny Morris.
His career spanned shows like Birdwatch, Discovering Animals, and Nature, taking him to the Arctic and Antarctica.
Soper is survived by wife Hilary, their sons, and five grandchildren.
